The Taraba State Government has reduced the monthly salaries of members of the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme, popularly known as street sweepers, from ₦15,000 to ₦10,000, citing financial pressures arising from recent recruitment into the state workforce.
Newsonspot reports that the development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, during a media briefing in Jalingo.
According to Kefas, the decision was taken following a directive from Governor Agbu Kefas aimed at managing available resources after the employment of a large number of workers into the state and local government civil services.
He acknowledged that the sweepers received ₦10,000 in their latest payment cycle instead of the ₦15,000 they had previously earned.
The street sweepers were originally recruited by the state government in 2023 and placed on a monthly allowance of ₦20,000. In March 2024, their pay was reduced by ₦5,000, leaving them with ₦15,000 monthly after they were reportedly given the option to accept the cut or lose their jobs.
The latest payment of ₦10,000 represents another reduction in their earnings, sparking discussions about the welfare of the workers and the state’s financial priorities.
Explaining the move, Kefas said the government was facing increased financial obligations due to the recent recruitment exercise, while allocations from the Federation Account had remained limited.
The agency chairman defended the decision, stating that the sanitation agency must also cater for supervisors, local government coordinators, monitoring teams, and other casual workers operating across Taraba State’s 16 local government areas.
He further noted that significant resources are expended on waste evacuation, environmental sanitation, and daily operational activities aimed at maintaining cleanliness in Jalingo and other communities across the state.
Kefas maintained that the agency has the authority to determine the remuneration of its workers and stated that anyone dissatisfied with the arrangement is free to seek alternative opportunities.
The salary reduction has drawn attention to the challenges of balancing public sector employment, worker welfare, and limited government resources, especially as states continue to navigate rising operational costs and increasing workforce demands.
