Taraba Slashes Street Sweepers’ Salary From ₦15,000 To ₦10,000

The Taraba State Government has reduced the monthly remuneration of workers engaged under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean initiative, commonly known as street sweepers, from ₦15,000 to ₦10,000 as part of measures aimed at managing public expenditure.

According to reports, the Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, confirmed the development while addressing journalists in Jalingo, the state capital. He explained that the decision was taken following directives from Governor Agbu Kefas amid efforts to accommodate the financial implications of recent recruitment exercises into the state and local government civil services.

The street sweepers were initially engaged in 2023 with a monthly allowance of ₦20,000. However, their earnings were reduced to ₦15,000 in 2024 after the government introduced a revised payment structure, giving workers the option to either accept the adjustment or exit the programme.

Recent payment records indicated that some beneficiaries received ₦10,000 for May 2026, confirming a further reduction in their monthly earnings.

Speaking on the development, the agency chairman attributed the decision to financial constraints and the increasing number of workers on the government payroll. He noted that available resources, including allocations from the federal government, have been insufficient to meet all operational and personnel obligations.

Kefas further explained that the sanitation programme involves multiple categories of personnel across the state’s 16 local government areas, including coordinators, supervisors, monitoring officers and casual workers, all of whom require funding. He added that team leaders overseeing daily sanitation activities are also entitled to allowances, while substantial resources are committed to waste management and environmental sanitation projects in Jalingo and other parts of the state.

He maintained that participation in the programme remains voluntary, stressing that any worker dissatisfied with the revised payment structure is free to withdraw from the scheme.