Taraba Govt Slashes Street Sweepers’ Pay to N10,000, Says Workers Can Leave If Unhappy

The Taraba State Government has reduced the monthly salary of street sweepers under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme from N15,000 to N10,000. The Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, confirmed the development, stating it followed a directive from Governor Agbu Kefas to manage state finances after fresh recruitment into the civil service .

The street sweepers were initially recruited in 2023 with a monthly allowance of N20,000. Their pay was cut to N15,000 in 2024 after they were reportedly asked to accept the reduction or lose their jobs . Reports indicate they received N10,000 in May 2026, marking a further reduction .

Kefas defended the decision, stating that the agency has the right to determine workers’ remuneration and that anyone dissatisfied with the new pay structure is free to leave . He also cited limited allocations from the Federation Account and increased financial obligations following recruitment at both state and local government levels .