May Day: Aiyedatiwa salutes workers, assures improved welfare

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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Wednesday affirmed his commitment to fostering industrial harmony and ensuring transparent governance, placing workers’ welfare at the forefront. 

He shared these sentiments while addressing workers at the 2024 Worker’s Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehimi Freedom Arcade in Akure. 

Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed satisfaction in marking his inaugural Workers’ Day as Ondo State Governor, underscoring its significance, especially amidst preparations for the forthcoming gubernatorial election. 

Acknowledging the state’s commendable track record of industrial peace, he attributed the administration’s modest achievements to the unwavering dedication of its workforce.

“In a 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.

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“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 the year 2025. This approach will make it possible for retiring officers to get their terminal promotion early enough to process their terminal benefits as appropriate.

“Full implementation of the workers’ Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, ORANGHIS. The Scheme has provided access to quality and affordable healthcare services for all workers in the State. Our administration is also considering the inclusion of pensioners in the Scheme as doing so will provide them access to affordable necessary healthcare in their retirement years.

“Monthly commitment of N200 million for steady payment of inherited arrears of gratuities in addition to the special provision of over N1.2 billion to clear arrears of gratuities up to 2014.  Efforts are also underway to settle arrears of the year 2015 gratuities in one fell swoop in the current year. Of course, I consider this and the monthly steady payment of outstanding gratuities more meaningful than the unsustainable interim arrangement of N10,000 Wage Award to each pensioner

“The 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 the 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.”  

At the event, the governor announced Bola Taiwo’s appointment as his Special Adviser on Union Matters, a former President of NULGE.

Labour leaders, including Comrade Victor Amoko of NLC and Comrade Clement Fatuase of TUC, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his support to Ondo State workers, highlighting achievements in education, security, infrastructure, and healthcare.

Bayo Philip, the Head of Service, encouraged workers to continue their hard work, promising wage improvements through various measures implemented by the governor.