The Taraba State Government has reduced the monthly allowance paid to workers under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme, lowering payments from N15,000 to N10,000 as authorities seek to manage spending following recent public sector recruitment.
The adjustment was confirmed by the Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, during an interaction with journalists in Jalingo.
According to the agency chairman, the reduction followed government efforts to balance financial commitments after recruiting additional workers into state and local government service.
“Yes, we did not pay the sweepers N15,000 this month; we paid them N10,000 each,” Kefas said.
The sanitation workers were originally engaged in 2023 with a monthly allowance of N20,000 before payments were reviewed downward to N15,000 in 2024. The latest adjustment marks another reduction under the programme.
Kefas explained that environmental sanitation operations extend beyond the payment of field workers and include expenses tied to supervision, coordination, monitoring activities and waste evacuation across all 16 local government areas of the state.
Defending the decision, he argued that the agency must operate within available resources and suggested participation in the programme remains voluntary.
“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.
The comments have drawn attention to broader conversations around workers’ welfare, public spending priorities and the impact of economic pressures on low-income earners.
The development is expected to generate reactions from labour groups and residents, especially as concerns persist over living costs and the purchasing power of workers across the country.
The Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme was introduced to support environmental sanitation efforts and maintain cleaner public spaces across the state.
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