Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), on Tuesday sought workers’ understanding and support to enable his administration serve the state better.
Akeredolu praised the workers for the understanding liberally extended to this administration at the most difficult moment, assuring the people that no segment of the of the would be left unattended to.
“They (workers) deserve especial mention for the resilience and renewed dedication for optimum service to the people,” he said.
The governor, who spoke during this year’s May Day celebration entitled: “Labour movement in national development: Dare to struggle, dare to win”, which held at the popular Gani Fawehinwmi Arcade, Akure, craved the sustained rapprochement between the workers and the state government in his administration’s efforts to meet demands on the welfare of workers and the generality of the people.
He said: “I need not remind workers that this administration inherited a huge debt portfolio when it assumed office last year. It is also a notorious fact that a heavy burden of salary arrears of seven months was on the State. We promised to offset all arrears owed. We have been able to keep the promise, partly. Four months out of the seven months salary arrears owed has been paid so far. We have paid salaries till date.
“There has also been a monthly release of N200m to the Pensions and Transitional Department to offset backlog of gratuities of retired public servants who had served this State meritoriously.
“Pensions are also paid with salaries of workers. These efforts are in fulfillment of our avowed commitment to prioritise the welfare of workers and that of our “senior citizens”.
“This administration has kept its promise not to encourage partisan politics truncate the careers of deserving public servants. We made a solemn pledge to workers and God that the issue of promotion would be determined on merit. We present our score card today to you and posterity on our performance.
The last time permanent secretaries were appointed in Ondo State Civil Service was in 2012. There was a lot of disaffection among workers, especially the hard working and committed civil servants whose careers were stagnated. There was deep frustration as erstwhile juniors were promoted above their senior colleagues in the service on account of extraneous considerations, hitherto unknown to civil service regulations. This obnoxious practice negated the principles of Equity and Law.
“We did not stop at mere avowal to uphold the principles of equity and justice. We have appointed 15 permanent secretaries and one tutor-general based on merit. We shall be appointing other deserving career civil servants.
“Nobody will suffer persecution under our watch.
“We will continue to encourage our workers to give their best. We will not relent in ensuring that all interests are protected in the quest for optimum service delivery.
“This administration has approved the sum of N500m as car loan for civil servants in the state. There is also the Housing Loan which is being disbursed on a continual basis. We shall keep to our promise to train and retrain public servants for enhanced performance.
May I, at this juncture, state the obvious, ladies and gentlemen. The current state of affairs is depressing. We are far away from our destination, even if we have found the right path.
“The journey to redemption is arduous, no doubt. All of us must show sufficient commitment to drag the state out of poverty. The practice of near-total dependence on Federal Allocation must change. Other states can afford to be complacent, not our dear Ondo State whose people’s industry contributed immensely to the country’s GDP in the past. It is a tragic irony that some people now refer to our state as a civil service enclave where governance has been reduced, virtually, to payment of salaries, allowances, grants and subventions.”
Earlier, the state Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chairperson, Mr. Bose Daramola, praised Akeredolu for prompt payment of workers’ entitlements and being a listening leader.
She particular commended the governor for slashing the tuition of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, to affordable amount.
