JUST IN: Taraba Reduces Street Sweepers’ Monthly Salary to ₦10,000

Street sweepers working under Taraba State’s sanitation programme are set to earn less following a fresh salary cut approved by the state government.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Taraba State Government has reduced the monthly pay of workers under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme from ₦15,000 to ₦10,000, a move that has sparked reactions among residents and workers.

The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, Hon. Illiya Kefas, during a media briefing in Jalingo, the state capital.

Kefas said the decision followed directives from Governor Agbu Kefas as the state government attempts to adjust to rising financial obligations, particularly after the recruitment of additional workers into the state and local government civil service.

According to him, the state’s financial burden has increased significantly in recent months, while allocations from the Federation Account have remained insufficient to meet growing demands.

He explained that the government had to make difficult decisions to ensure it can continue to sustain its workforce and maintain essential public services.

The affected workers, popularly known as street sweepers, were engaged under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean initiative to support sanitation efforts across the state.

Their earnings have steadily declined over the past three years.

When the programme was introduced in 2023, workers earned ₦20,000 monthly. That amount was later reduced to ₦15,000 in 2024. With the latest adjustment, their monthly earnings now stand at ₦10,000.

Reports indicate that workers received ₦10,000 as payment for May 2026, confirming the implementation of the new salary structure.

Defending the decision, Kefas said the agency is under intense financial pressure and must manage limited resources carefully.

He noted that beyond paying street sweepers, the agency also covers several operational costs tied to sanitation management across Taraba’s 16 local government areas.

These expenses, according to him, include payments to coordinators, supervisors, monitoring personnel, casual workers, as well as costs linked to waste evacuation and environmental sanitation exercises.

He maintained that the salary reduction was necessary for the agency to remain operational.

The agency chairman also made it clear that workers unwilling to continue under the new arrangement are free to exit the programme.

The decision has, however, triggered concerns over the welfare of low-income earners in the state.