The Taraba State Government has come under fire after reducing the monthly salary of street sweepers working under the Operation Keep Taraba Clean programme from ₦15,000 to ₦10,000.
The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency (TESESA), Hon. Illiya Kefas, who attributed the decision to increasing financial obligations and the need to accommodate newly recruited civil servants.
According to Kefas, the state government is grappling with limited allocations and rising expenditure, making the salary adjustment necessary.
The affected workers were first engaged in 2023 and received a monthly allowance of ₦20,000. Their pay was later reduced to ₦15,000 in 2024 before being further slashed to ₦10,000 for May 2026.
The latest reduction has triggered criticism from Nigerians, many of whom argue that the amount is far below what is needed to survive amid the country’s current economic challenges.
Critics have also highlighted the important role played by the sweepers in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation across the state, questioning how workers can meet basic needs on such a salary.
The decision has since generated heated reactions online, with many calling on the government to reconsider the pay cut and improve the welfare of the workers rather than reduce their earnings.