Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji disclosed that his government within 7 months has paid N30, 606, 198, 988.31 as salaries to workers and pensioners in the state.
The governor added that N4, 180, 081, 726. 53 has been used to defray 2018 outstanding salaries state and local government workers while he has approved N700, 000, 000: 00 for the payment of gratuities to State retirees and N235, 000, 000: 00 for the local government retirees.
Governor Oyebanji disclosed these at workers’ Day on 1st May, 2023 with the theme ‘Workers’ Right and Socio-Economic Justice’ held at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti. While reiterating his administration’s resolved to prioritize workers welfare, he promised to fulfill its obligations to workers without wavering.
According to the Governor “Within the few months of this Administration, efforts have been made to ensure that priority is placed on workers’ welfare. Let me assure you that our Administration will continue to fulfill its obligations to workers. We are not going to renege on our promises as captured in our road-map to Ekiti prosperity. The policy thrust of our administration is to create wealth and a better living standard; improve human capital development; transform the agricultural sector, and reduce rural-urban drift with the provision of necessary infrastructural amenities at the rural level; industrialize the state to create job opportunities for our teeming youths, and attract more investors/tourists to the State.
“It is our desire that Ekiti State becomes a reference point for success in the comity of states. This administration has taken steps that will positively impact the service in spite of our limited resources. This government is sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of our people. As a people, we all deserve the best at all times, and with God on our side, we shall get the very best”
Governor Oyebanji assured workers of better working conditions through regular payment of salaries, deductions, and promotion of workers .
He said “As you are aware, arrears of salaries of Local Government Workers and their State Civil Service counterparts have been paid. Prompt and regular payment of salaries remains our priority. Payment of deduction arrears has been completed, while all the 2018 deduction arrears have also been paid. The implementation of 2019 promotion has equally been approved, coupled with hazard allowances and residency training allowance for Medical Doctors. All these clearly show that workers’ welfare remains a top priority for our administration and all other outstanding issues shall be addressed in due course.
Similarly, the sum of N6, 214, 563, 734. 01 has been released so far, to our subvented higher institutions of learning, including payment of outstanding arrears”
While commending workers for their dedication to duties and unflinching support which has enhanced the productivity of government to meet the needs of the masses. He urged the workers to re-dedicate themselves to the services of the state for greater Development.
“I congratulate the Labour movement under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the State for joining their colleagues all over the world to celebrate the dignity of labour and value of productivity, as exemplified by the labour force. The organised labour in the state has displayed maturity, courage and understanding, and has continuously given valuable support to the government as a major stakeholder in the development of the state in spite of our daunting challenges.
“Without labour, there is no prosperity— as you are aware, labour is the driving force behind productivity. The tranquility being experienced in the State since the inception of this administration can be largely attributed to the collaborative disposition and pro-development approach of Labour. The labour unions have demonstrated harmonious industrial relationship by opting for meaningful dialogue in the interest of progress.
The governor in his determination to recipocate the kind gesture and cooperation of workers released the sum of N267, 070, 000:00 as Housing Loan to 1, 901 beneficiaries comprising both state and local government workers including teachers, while another sum of N228, 300,000:00 was disbursed as car loans to all categories of workers.”This has helped workers to continue to meet their personal obligation and improve the economy of the State in general.
“As an Administration, we are committed to the actualisation of a merit-based and service-driven public service. We firmly believe that favouritism and nepotism should have no place in the selection of candidates for positions in the public service. We will therefore continue to insist that merit and capaciity to deliver should be the major yardstick for hiring people into Government’s services. It is only through merit that we can achieve optimal performance and excellent service delivery”
Governor Oyebanji called for the support of the union leaders to combat the multi-facetes challenges bedevlining Nigeria. Saying all hands must be on deck to get rid of insecurity, corruption and economic instability in Nigeria.
While calling on Federal government to imbibe the spirit of fairness and equity in the distribution of national resources, Oyebanji called on workers and labour leaders to help herald the crusade of fairness and equity while sharing allocation. He however, bemoaned the meagre allocation aloted to Ekiti state which not not meet the obligations of the state.
” I enjoin workers to continue to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the operation of the service. To build a virile and enduring service, we have a collective obligation to adhere strictly to extant rules and regulations in order to protect the image of the service”