May Day 2024: Gov. Ododo Assures Workers of Improved Welfare »

sets up committee to deliberate on demands

Kogi State governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has promised impending review of the salary and other welfare packages of workers in Kogi state stating that government was well aware of the financial constraints faced by the workers and would soon conclude on-going conversations in the interest of all stakeholders.

The Governor also expressed that his government take cognisance of the importance of fair wages, safe working conditions, and social security for every worker while expressing resolve to continue to bring happiness to Kogi workers.

Governor Ododo made this known on Wednesday during the 2024 Workers’ Day celebration, held at the Mohammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja. This year’s celebration would be the governor’s first workers’ day commemoration since his emergence as the executive governor of the state.

The governor also set up a committee comprising of top government officials to interface with the labour union over their demands some of which he noted were in order and would receive positive response.

The governor hinted that government have commenced contribution to the formal sector enrolment into the state health insurance scheme, with many state civil servants now enrolled as beneficiaries. He added that the coverage under the health insurance scheme would soon be extended to the local government level.

He mentioned that the state government is committed to make funds available for the welfare and wellbeing of the state workforce noting that the State is making steady progress already and as soon as the revenue base of the State improves, workers would enjoy better dividends that would keep them happy and more productive.

He mentioned that ”the state free education policy remains on course and payment of Senior Secondary School Examination fees has been fully offset by the state government. Our new template for payment of bursary to students in higher institutions has been adjudged to be a step higher in transparency and accountability”.

He similarly added that the quarterly palliatives has since commenced and his administration shall not renege on this accord until the economic indices that have pushed the people into hardship improve.

The governor added that his government have embarked on an aggressive agricultural reform programme that would identify and support genuine farmers with subsidy, secure farmlands and communities, guarantee food security and make Kogi state a major supplier of food and livestock in the country. He used the medium to implore workers to buy into this revolution and assist the government in achieving its goal.

“Our efforts to revamp Primary Healthcare Centres in the state has received a boost with a commitment to get them on stream in no distant time. On-going road projects and other infrastructural projects in the state are receiving adequate attention and we are confident that they will be completed and put to use by the people of our state sooner than later” he added.

The governor asserted that efforts in securing lives and property in the state has been roundly successful with increase in the number of boots on the ground across communities, and logistical enhancement as evident by recent deployment of hundreds of security vehicles and motorbikes to security agencies. He alluded that the state was winning the war against crime and would continue to step up efforts to make Kogi State completely unsafe for criminals.

Speaking on behalf of Kogi workers, Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress, Kogi State, Comrade Gabriel Amari said that theme of this year’s May Day “People First” is the disposition which government officials and those in position of leadership must have towards the people particularly with regards to the current economic realities.

The labour leader lauded Kogi state governor for making remarkable strides despite his short time in office noting that his actions sacrosanct amongst which was the notable improvement in the salaries of local government and the 100% payment of Local government pensioners amongst other things were a reflection of more good to come as his government progressed.

While he presented several demands for consideration to the governor, he urged state workers to continue to work diligently, while they embrace the spirit of unity in a bid to further contribute more effectively to the growth and development of the state.

Highlights of the events were the match past and acknowledgement by the several bodies under the workers union to the amusement of the governor, members of his government and cheering crowd.