An economist at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr. Tunji Ogunyemi has warned Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State against borrowing from banks to pay salaries of the state civil servants.
Ogunyemi said Adeleke should pay salaries based on the money in the state’s coffers and not go to banks to borrow money to settle salaries.
Ogunyemi, in an interview on radio monitored in Osogbo on Friday, said the Osun Inland Revenue Service, OIRS, the state’s Internal Generation Revenue agency should be used to generate more funds rather than borrowing money to pay salaries.
“There must be a moratorium now on borrowing, Osun must never borrow to pay salaries. You pay salary only on what you have not go to bank and borrow with a view to paying salaries. It should never happen,” he said.
He also urged Adeleke to approach his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola to know how he succeeded in paying Osun workers for four years without borrowing.
“Politicking is over. The Governor should approach Oyetola and find out from him how he was able to govern Osun State at that critical period without the state going broke.
“Oyetola performed a wonder and Adeleke should find out from him how he did it,” he added.