Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has reportedly ordered a significant reduction in the salaries of casual workers across the state to fund payments of newly employed civil servants.
Reports revealed that the reduction will majorly affect workers of the “Operation Keep Taraba Clean” program. This includes Street Sweepers estimated at over 1,500 across the state and comprising mostly widows and youths.
Specifically, the government is cutting their salaries by N5,000, reducing it from N15,000 to N10,000. Reports alleged that this represents the latest pay cut in three years that has seen the casual workers’ salary decline from the initial N20,000 payment.
Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Chairman Hon. Illiya Kefas, confirmed that the move followed a directive from the Governor. He explained that the move represents an attempt to manage available resources to cater for the newly employed civil servants.
Kefas added that the state intends to balance its financial obligations following the recruitments at state and local government levels. He also noted that the move may also be linked to the limited allocations received from the Federation Account.
Meanwhile, Kefas stated that dissatisfied workers were free to leave the job, Nigerian Tribune reported.
“I have the right to ask my people to work at N10,000. Anyone interested will work, and if you are not, you can go your way,” he stated.
Following this, Nigerians have expressed discontent at the Taraba Government’s decision.
PR and Comms Strategist, Abu Amir said;
He didn’t slash the number of cars in his convoy, he still moves around with 30 exotic cars, he didn’t slash the millions of naira he spends as traveling allowances, he didn’t slash the number of people he sponsor to hajj & Jerusalem, et al, it’s the struggling parents earning 15k that he’s slashing their salaries.
Nigerian politicians aren’t only corrupt, they’re evil & wicked! Very heartless people.
Conversely, Bin Gbada, a software engineer, raised concerns about the state’s recent FAAC allocations.
According to him;
Taraba state government received a total FAAC allocation of 115.03 billion ($82 million) for January to August of 2025.
This year alone, from January till March, they’ve received 42 billion ($30 million).
Meanwhile, the Governor of the state slashed the salaries of road workers from 15,000 to 10,000 a month. That’s wicked!!
