The Taraba State Government has come under criticism following the reduction of the monthly salary of street sweepers under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme from ₦15,000 to ₦10,000. The decision, which affects hundreds of sanitation workers across the state, has sparked concerns over workers' welfare amid Nigeria's rising cost of living.
The affected workers reportedly discovered the reduction after receiving their May 2026 salaries, with many expressing frustration over the latest cut. The development marks the second salary reduction since the programme was introduced. When the street sweepers were recruited in 2023, they earned ₦20,000 monthly before the amount was reduced to ₦15,000 in 2024.
Confirming the development, Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, said the reduction was a deliberate government policy aimed at accommodating newly recruited workers into the state and local government civil services. According to him, the state government has been grappling with increasing wage obligations and limited financial resources.
He explained that the government recently expanded its workforce through recruitment exercises, leading to a higher wage bill and forcing authorities to redistribute available resources. The agency chairman maintained that the decision was approved by Governor Agbu Kefas as part of efforts to sustain government operations despite fiscal constraints.
Defending the move, Kefas argued that participation in the sanitation programme remains voluntary, stating that those dissatisfied with the new pay structure are free to leave. He also noted that the agency incurs significant operational costs, including waste evacuation, vehicle maintenance, monitoring activities and the remuneration of supervisors and coordinators across the state's 16 local government areas.
However, the salary reduction has attracted widespread criticism from residents and labour advocates who argue that the affected workers are among the lowest-paid public service providers in the state. Critics contend that reducing the earnings of sanitation workers at a time of economic hardship could further worsen their living conditions and negatively impact morale within the programme.
The controversy has reignited debate over the balance between expanding government employment and protecting the welfare of existing workers, with many observers calling on the Taraba State Government to review the decision and provide relief for the affected sweepers.
Abuja Network News
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