Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has emphasized that he did not intended to neither downsize the state workforce nor reverse the payment of the newly implemented minimum wage if re-elected.
The Senior Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Comrade Abdulkareem Mumini Onagun who dropped the hint when he featured on a Media Town Hall interview session, spoke about welfare package of the AbdulRazaq-led government towards the entire state workforce.
The Governor’s aide enumerated achievements of the present government ranging from prompt payment of salaries, approval and implementation of promotion arrears, training and retraining of workers among others.
Comrade Onagun further explained that the workers deserved encouraging welfare and benefits as the engine room of government and given their unprecedented support and commitment to the core mandates of the state government.
He said the gestures were to further motivate the state’s workforce and enhance its services to the people.
He reiterated the determination of the present administration to improve the welfare of the civil servants and cushion the effects of the present economic hardship.
Onagun, therefore, urged the civil servants to reciprocate the kind gesture of the government by rededicating themselves for efficient service delivery.
On the issue of Kwara Hotel staff, the Governor’s aide told newsmen that effort is ongoing to absorb them into the mainstream of the civil service without any condition.
He explained that the present government under Governor AbdulRazaq’s watch was working round the clock to lay the issue of staff to rest and ensure that hotel return to its hospitality business as soon as possible.
Comrade Onagun also informed that the government had left no sector of the economy untouch, disclosing that the Governor had increased the monthly allocation meant for gratuity from N30m to N100m to carter for more people.
He appreciated Labour leadership in Kwara State for their understanding and ensuring mutual understanding between the government and the entire workforce.
He also appealed to Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to consider upward review of the allocation due to Kwara State to enable government do more for the people.
Comrade Onagun, therefore, advised the public particularly civil servants to steer clear anything that distrupt peaceful coexistence in the state as the election draws nearer, saying that election should not be do or die affairs.