Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, has assured workers in the state that his administration will continue to give their welfare priority attention.
Aiyedatiwa, in his goodwill message to mark this year’s Workers Day, maintained that his administration will continue to promote industrial peace and operate open and transparent governance, with the welfare of workers as a major priority of his administration
Addressing workers during the celebration of the 2024 Worker’s Day at the Gani Fawehimi Freedom Arcade, along Igbatoro road in Akure, the state capital, the governor, appreciated the worker’s union for their support to his administration.
He said the modest achievements of his administration could not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of workers, emphasising the importance of the event amidst preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election in the State.
The Governor said: “In demonstration of our commitment to the welfare of workers in the State, our administration is giving priority attention to the following, among others:
“Regular payment of salaries and pensions, steady payment of gratuity, and payment of backlog of salaries. This has brought relief to both serving and retired officers;
“Regular promotion of workers with financial backing is being prioritised. This is to keep motivating our workers for quality service delivery.
“The promotion exercise for the current year is ongoing and I have given the Head of Service the go-ahead to commence next year’s promotion exercise before the close of the year to enable eligible workers to get their 2025 promotion letter at the beginning of 2025.
“This approach will make it possible for retiring officers to get their terminal promotion early enough to process their terminal benefits as appropriate.
“Steady recruitment into the State Public Service has been given priority attention as our administration has given new approval for the recruitment of the following categories of officers and the processes have commenced: Over 1,000 personnel in the health sector; and 2,000 personnel in the education sector.
“The upward review and payment of hazard allowance to health workers in the State and review of salaries and entry point of Medical Doctors are being implemented;
“Implementation of tutors’ elongation of service from 35 to 40-year length of service and from 60 to 65 years of age respectively, has been approved to shore up the dwindling staff strength in our public schools.
“I want to assure our workers and the generality of our people that Nigerian economy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is on the way to recovery.
“With the ongoing economic reforms coupled with the tenacity of Nigerians, let us be optimistic that things would fully turn around for the better, very soon.”
The Governor announced the appointment of a former President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Bola Taiwo, as his Special Adviser on Union Matters.
Labour leaders in the state, including Comrade Victor Amoko, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Clement Fatuase, praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering support to Ondo workers.
They commended the administration’s efforts in education, security, infrastructure, and healthcare, citing various commendable programs and interventions.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Bayo Philip, the Head of Service, urged workers to exert their utmost efforts, assuring them that the governor is committed to improving their wages through the implementation of various measures.
