The Good Governance Initiatives (GGI), a socio-political organisation led by Obadofin Ademola, has rejected claims that the Ondo State Government is forcing civil servants to pay N130,000 as a compulsory training fee before promotion, describing the report as false, misleading and “from the pit of hell.”
The group said its findings contradicted the allegation published online by a group operating under the aegis of the Concerned Workers Emancipation Group, insisting that the actual training fee is N80,000.
According to GGI, the figure of N130,000 being circulated is not the current fee under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
Rather, the group said the previous administration under the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had pegged the fee at N130,000, while the Aiyedatiwa administration subsequently reviewed it downward to N80,000.
“Where is the N130,000 they are talking about? Our findings show that the current fee is N80,000. Governor Aiyedatiwa inherited a N130,000 fee and reduced it to N80,000. How then can anybody accuse his administration of increasing the burden on workers?” GGI queried.
The group said the reduction represents a N50,000 decrease, describing it as a significant intervention aimed at easing the financial burden associated with workers’ promotion training.
GGI urged the Concerned Workers Emancipation Group to stop misleading the people of Ondo State with what it described as “incorrect and sensational figures,” stressing that public criticism should be anchored on facts.
Beyond the training fee controversy, the organisation said the welfare of workers under the Aiyedatiwa administration deserves recognition, arguing that Ondo State workers remain among the better-enumerated public servants in the country.
“We challenge those making these claims to compare what Ondo workers receive with what obtains in other states. They should do their homework before misleading the public,” the group said.
GGI further commended the administration for its regular salary payment, noting that workers’ salaries are paid on the 25th of every month, while promotions are also being granted as and when due.
The organisation said these measures demonstrate that the administration recognises the importance of a motivated workforce to effective governance.
It therefore urged civil servants and members of the public to disregard what it called the “N130,000 propaganda” and demand evidence before believing or sharing claims about government policies.
GGI maintained that while constructive criticism remains an important part of democracy, deliberately circulating inaccurate information about workers’ welfare could unnecessarily create distrust between the government and its workforce.
The group called on the Concerned Workers Emancipation Group to “check the facts, verify the figures and stop misleading the good people of Ondo State.”
