Governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko has promised to infuse N3.4 billion into the state’s economy in a ploy to get the striking workers back to work.

The governor met with workers in his state from Grade 01 to 17 in Akure to explain the true picture of the economic situation of the state.

While pleading with the striking workers to get back to work, Mimiko said, “I have never taken their welfare for granted,” even as he revealed that N3.4 billion was available to pay some parts of the outstanding salaries.

“N2.7bn is still sitting in the bank to be paid to Local Government workers and primary school teachers, while N700million is available to pay state workers of any sector as determined by your leaders.”

The governor blamed the descent of Crude Oil price in the global market as well as a huge debt portfolio as against the revenue of the state for the current economic meltdown being experienced.

He reckoned that the income of the state has been reduced to about 60-70 per cent which has greatly disturbed the payment of salaries.

The governor further promised that despite the harsh economic situation in the state, nobody would be retrenched.

Meanwhile, Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose could not reach a resolution with the workers in his state who are currently on strike.

Fayose had called a meeting with the labor leaders of his state to discuss how to resolve the salary impasse that resulted in a statewide strike that is currently 4 weeks strong.

According to reports, no solution was arrived at, during the meeting which held within the premises of the state government house.

Fayose reportedly explained the reality of the finances of the state to labor leaders and pleaded with them to return to work for the sake of gathering internally generated revenue.

The labor leaders however, remained obstinate and refused to budge until the government pays the salaries owed the workers in the state.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress told Vanguard newspaper that the strike in the state would continue because a common ground was not found at the said meeting.

He said, “The governor listened to us and promised to get back to us. We are also going to have our own meeting on Wednesday to review the situation but the strike continues. It is either three months salary or no talk.”