Gov. 0kpebholo is Workers, Friendly, Says Ohonbamu

Governments worldwide are products of the collective will of the people and the civil servants, otherwise known and called government workers or public servants constitutes the main technical and professional hub of any administration to the extent that for most times the success or failure of such administration largely depend on this organ of government.

The presidential system of government allows for a tripartite system of government, the federal, state and local government levels of administering the people’s commonwealth.

According to the 1999 Constitution, the three identified governments are guaranteed their independence from each other and they operate and function not in isolation, but in conjunction with the civil service.

In Edo state, the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo recognizes the role of the civil service as the engine room of government and since inception has accorded the workers priority attention.

The administration which has remained fully committed to the welfare of workers has increased the minimum wage for Edo state workers to N75,000 from N70,000 to further improve their living standard.

Interestingly, on assumption of office, the administration took one of the first actions to convert many casual workers, including over one thousand cleaners who, for years, had no job security into the core civil service, giving them stability and peace of mind.

Five hundred new teachers were hired to ease classroom pressure and help students learn better and the casual position of over three thousand Edo Star teachers are being reviewed for possible full employment because their effort will shape the children’s future.

Governor Okpebholo has approved the recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical staff for the State hospitals and regularized 126 contract staff at Edo State Specialist hospital. These steps not only strengthen the health system but also improve job stability for health professionals.

The administration has cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to Edo State polytechnic staff and the judges who had been delayed in their appointments were properly sworn in and now fully carrying out their duties.

The administration has also approved health insurance coverage for retirees because the Governor believes that the responsibility to workers doesn’t end when they leave active service, just as the pensions and gratuities of pensioners are being paid.

Governor Okpebholo’s administration is committed to timely payment of salaries and pension; steady recruitment where needed to improve service delivery; staff welfare and development, as well as ensuring that Edo workers are treated with dignity and fairness.

These and other government interventions to ameliorate the plight of workers have endeared the Governor Okpebholo administration to workers in the state.

The leadership of the workers commended the governor for the formations and implementation of laudable policies and programmes towards alleviating the suffering and hardships faced by Edo workers and pensioners.

They noted that the theme: “reclaiming the Civil space in the midst of economic hardship” is apt and thought provoking as it borders on the very serious challenges faced by the Nigerian workers and the people as a result of the present day economic hardship faced by them in the country, during the workers day celebration in Benin City.

In the words of the acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Comrade Bernard Egwekhide the Governor Okpebholo led administration has taken the welfare of Edo workers very seriously and embarked on interventions that to a great extent enabled workers in the State to enjoy their civil rights.

According to him, just within six months in office, the administration has done excellently well for Edo State workers as the performance is beyond the expectations of the workers.

The workers thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the support given to Edo State Government as the first flyover is under construction while a second one has been approved and Federal roads across the State are also getting the needed attention they deserve.

At this point, all well meaning citizens of the state, especially labour should join hands with the Governor to move the state to the next level.

This is because the administration is workers friendly and is ready to give workers their due.

There is no gainsaying the fact that workers will continue to benefit from the administration of Governor Okpebholo’s disposition to them, but they should be ready to contribute their quota towards ensuring that Edo is risen.

Hon Paul Ohonbamu is
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication