Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has restated the commitment of his administration to prioritize the welfare of workers in the State.
Governor Oyebanji, who had an interactive session with the State workers on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti, as part of activities marking his first year in office , stated that the government was not unmindful of the challenges faced by the workers.
Oyebanji who appreciated the workers for their unflinching support, patience and understanding since the inception of his administration, described the workers as strategic partners with his administration in moving the state forward, especially in working towards shared prosperity for Ekiti people.
The interface the junior, intermediate and senior categories of workers took place at the secretariat complex, Ado Ekiti, attended by the Wife of the Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Secretary to the State Government, Dr ( Mrs) Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe, Chairman Civil Service Commission, Mr Bunmi Famosaya and Chairman, state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Council ( NLC), Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, among others.
While commending the workforce for their resilience and tenacity in the face of unprecedented challenges, the Governor said his administration remained committed to prompt payment of salaries, creating an atmosphere that would add value to their wages, and providing infrastructure and security so that his shared prosperity agenda could be realized.
On efforts to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal, the Governor said his administration had rolled out some palliatives that cut across all segment of the state, taking care of students, workers and the informal sector. He however said that Governors would be meeting in the coming week to determine additional palliative allowances for workers, adding that he would rather wait till after the meeting to make any pronouncement on the demand by the workers for the N35,000 additional pay announced by the federal government for federal civil servants.
“I will start by appreciating you for your support since I assumed office, I thank you for your patience, understanding and sharing the vision of our administration with us and I thank you for carrying the burden of governance”.
“As a government, we will continue to ensure we reward you abundantly, we signed a contract with you, a contract of shared prosperity and you can only prosper if we pay your bills, if we create ambience that make that your earn to have value, you call only prosper if we secure this place, if we provide infrastructure and I can assured you that as long as God lives, everything that has to do with your welfare, we will tackle it” the Governor asserted
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Service, Engr Sunday Komolafe had thanked the Governor for being worker- friendly and for his passion towards the development of the public service through his reforms and transformation agenda.
Engr Akomolafe maintained that the Oyebanji administration has repeatedly demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the well-being of civil servants through prompt payment of salaries, pension and deductions, payment of arrears of salaries and pensions, full Implementation of fanacial benefits for 2020/2021 promotions, payment of 2017 leave bonus, renovation of offices, implementation of 90% CONHESS salary for PHC staffs, among others.
A major highlight of the meeting was the question and answer session where workers directed questions at the Governor, who in turn provided answers as well as insight into other policies of the administration.