The Taraba State Government has come under criticism after reducing the monthly allowance of workers under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme, popularly known as street sweepers, from ₦15,000 to ₦10,000.
Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, confirmed the development while speaking with journalists in Jalingo.
According to him, the decision was approved by Governor Agbu Kefas as part of measures to accommodate newly recruited workers in the state and local government civil services.
Kefas explained that the state government is currently facing increased financial obligations following the recent employment of additional civil servants, while allocations from the Federation Account remain insufficient.
The affected street sweepers were employed in 2023 and initially received ₦20,000 monthly. Their allowance was later reduced to ₦15,000 in 2024, before being cut again to ₦10,000 for May 2026.
Defending the salary reduction, Kefas stated that workers who are dissatisfied with the new payment structure are free to leave the programme.
He added that the agency also covers operational costs such as payments to coordinators, supervisors, monitoring teams and casual workers across Taraba State’s 16 local government areas, in addition to sanitation and waste management activities.
According to him, the reduction became necessary to enable the agency to continue functioning and meet its obligations despite prevailing financial challenges.
The decision has sparked concerns over the welfare of low-income workers, especially at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with rising food prices, transportation costs and other living expenses.
