Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has sworn in Kayode Ogundele as Ondo’s 15th Head of Service, urging him to bring to book “unscrupulous” civil servants collecting “double salaries.”

Mr Akeredolu, at the swearing-in on Wednesday in Akure, said Mr Ogundele’s appointment was based on his rich record of service.

He congratulated Mr Ogundele on being considered worthy to serve as the number one civil servant in Ondo.

The governor hoped his elevation would justify the expectation of quality service and unalloyed loyalty to the state.

He advised the new head of service to maintain and surpass the performance of his predecessors, adding that the understanding between the government and labour was maintained throughout their stints in office.

Mr Akeredolu, however, commended Ondo civil servants for displaying maturity in resolving issues, noting that the challenges faced by his administration since the COVID-19 outbreak had been enormous.

“Our administration set out with the pledge not to owe workers. We met arrears of salaries spanning seven months. We have been able to offset six months,” said Mr Akeredolu. “We paid salaries as and when due. Deserving members of staff were promoted. We have been encouraging the service to uphold the principles of equity and fair play.”

He added, “The disruption in the course of progression notwithstanding, our administration continues to put the welfare of workers on its priority list. We thank all those who appreciate and reciprocate this gesture.”

Mr Akeredolu promised to continue pursuing a policy of enhancement for all citizens, adding that he would apply the extant regulations to deter fraudulent people in the system.

“There have been very disturbing discoveries in the service. We have established cases of falsification of documents to derive undue advantage. There are cases of some unscrupulous elements who have been receiving double salaries,” explained the governor. “I have directed that all those culpable should be dismissed. I await a report on the steps taken to comply with this directive from the new head of service.”

The governor further disclosed that “there are also those who have been involved in disgraceful acts amounting to criminal breach of trust.”

The governor further said the deployment of staff by the new service head would take into account areas of acute needs.

”The hinterlands must not be shortchanged in any way, and qualified teachers must be posted to the rural communities for the benefit of our children. The government insists on knowing all those it owes obligations, both moral and financial. The era of redundancy is coming to an end,” Mr Akeredolu stressed.

(NAN)