Mimiko pleads with striking workers over hospital patients

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has made
a fresh plea to the state’s striking workers to return to
work in the interest of the people.
Mimiko, who made the plea on Friday in Akure, urged
the workers to consider the effects their actions were
having on the people, especially those with health
challenges.
He said the workers’ action had begun having negative
effect on patients in the state’s hospitals.
The governor said he was ready to pay health, local
government workers and teachers to enable his
administration to generate some money.
Mimiko, therefore, appealed to them to call off the
one-week old strike and consider his commitment not
to retrench any worker in spite of the dwindling
resources accruable to the state.
While stressing that the continuation of the strike
would retard the economic growth of the state, the
governor asked the people of the state to see the
current situation in the country as a collective
challenge that “we must face and proffer solution to.”
According to him, his administration has been prudent
with the meagre resources accrued to the state to
ensure adequate security of lives and property, as well
as provide infrastructure.
The governor said, “We are in a very difficult time in
Nigeria and I have absolutely nothing against your
protest. I can’t imagine somebody working diligently
or not too diligently, but worked for five months
without pay, especially in an economy that depends
mainly on salary.

“Your protest has been peaceful and that is what
democracy is all about. People must be able to
ventilate their feelings just like you are ventilating
yours. But it is important for us to know the truth
because it is the truth that can set us free.”