By: Ade Adeleke
The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday joined the annual prayer organized by the Civil Servants of the state to herald the new working year, warning civil servants to shun partisan politics as the people of the State prepare for another governorship election in November, this year.
The Governor also advised them to face their work diligently, cautioning that politicians should also desist from treating the election as a do or die affairs.
He promised to pay all outstanding entitlements of workers very soon while ensuring the ongoing recruitment of health workers continue despite the lean resources of the State.
Aiyedatiwa said, “this is an election year; let everyone know that the peace of the State is not negotiable and election is not a do or die affair”, the governor said, promising to open up the State for investors to come and invest their resources for the progress of the State.
He thanked the public servants in the state for their cooperation and also thanked the labour unions for their support for government, promising that priority will be given to the welfare of the workers in the State.
The Governor promised prompt payment of salaries, promotion, regular elevation, payment of inherited salary arrears, training and retraining, provision of working tools among other things that will engender an efficient 21st century Civil Service.
“We will forge ahead with the approval already given for the recruitment of health workers as a way of strengthening the health sector while filling of vacancies will be done on regular basis as need arises”, Aiyedatiwa said.
The Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, commended the Governor for the continuous support in all areas pertaining to issues affecting public servants in the State.
The HoS unequivocally passed a vote of confidence on the current administration as being worker-friendly especially in the areas of regular promotion with financial benefits, equitable distribution of palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, payment of 35,000 wage award, presentation of SUV cars to 30 Permanent Secretaries and other welfare packages aimed at enhancing efficiency.
According to the Head of Service, the workers have had a good deal with the present administration in the recent time which include timely promotion with financial benefits, offsetting of inherited salary arrears, payment of retirees benefits as well as adequate capturing in the state’s palliative arrangements to assuage the effect of last year removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
He noted that workers could only reciprocate the good gesture of government by putting in their best and strive for excellent service delivery in the new year and achieve set goals.
