Gov AbdulRazaq Attends Event Marking 2022 Civil Service Week In Ilorin, Says ‘Retrenchment’ Not ‘Under Consideration’

 Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state on Thursday restated his commitment to the welfare of the workers in the state, with labour and civil servants commending him for his steady pro-workers’ policies, including prompt payment of salaries and promotion of workers.

AbdulRazaq also dismissed rumours claiming that he was  planning  to disengage some  civil servants if re-elected next year, saying:  ‘one of the ways to maintain social stability in the society is to ensure that as many people as possible are productively engaged and are able to put food on the table of their families.

 For us, sacking workers is not an option. Our belief is that the civil servants are the major lubricants of this economy. Whatever you pay them helps to keep the fabric of the society together. Worse still, you really don’t save anything by sacking workers. Instead, it creates more problems. It is not an option for us’.

AbdulRazaq’s Chief Press Secretary,  Mr Rafiu Ajakaye in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that the governor said this during the interactive session held with the civil servants to commemorate the 2022 Civil Service Week. 

The programme was held at the Banquet Hall, opposite Government House, Ilorin.

Abdulrazaq  reiterated that civil servants are the life wire of public service, recalling how his administration had restored running costs to the civil service after many years, effected promotion with cash-backing, purchased dozens of operational vehicles, and implemented and sustained the payment of the minimum wage in a manner that labour and civil service leaders had described as a reference point in Nigeria. 

The programme which was  organized by the office of the State Head of Service headed by Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole, was  attended by the Deputy Governor, Mr  Kayode Alabi; cabinet members; Kwara state  NLC chief,  Comrade Issa Ore; TUC chairman, Comrade Tunde Joseph;  Chairman ,Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Saliu Suleiman; among others.

‘Since our assumption of office, we have prioritized payment of salaries, pension and gratuity because we know how important they are. When that is not done, it creates a lot of distractions. But we want you to remain focused on what you do. For us, we can say it is most paramount for us to pay your wages and prioritize your training and welfare’ he said.

The event afforded the governor another opportunity to take questions and observations from the civil servants — after which he responded in great details.

‘There is a rumour about planning to  sack  civil servants after elections and all that, it is quite laughable. The first question you will ask is how much do we save by sacking workers? You don’t save anything because even if you sack a worker you have to compensate him or her one way or the other. You have to pay the pension and gratuity, so at the end of the day you are not saving anything. Besides, how much are we even paying them that we  would want to sack them? the Governor queried.

He commended the workers for their continued support for the government.

Mrs. Oluwole said the interactive session formed a part of the mandate  of her office to set aside a period for workers to rub minds on issues affecting their interests.

She commended the government for its emphasis on workers’ welfare, including the regular payment of their wages, promotion, as well as the pensions and gratuities for the retirees. 

Oluwole urged the workforce to reciprocate this kind gesture of the government by doubling their efforts towards assisting the administration to further succeed in policy implementation. 

Ore commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his commitment to workers’ welfare, saying Kwara is among the few states with great and consistent implementation of the minimum wage — a sentiment repeated by other labour leaders.

Some of the workers, who spoke at the interactive session, took turns to eulogize the AbdulRazaq government for treating them well in various manners since taking  office.

Falade John Olumuyiwa, a director at the State Fire Service, appreciated the Governor for his timely renovation and equipping of the State Fire Service.

Comrade Sanni Oloyin said the civil servants are happier seeing the Governor interfacing with them and suggested  that the interactive meeting  be done quarterly.

Mustapha Mary, a deputy director at the ministry of environment, requested an upward review of the fund released for monthly payment of gratuity, although she acknowledged that it had never been so good.

Bashir Lawal (KWARMA) called for the construction of more bus stops on the highways, and commended the government for the approval of promotion of their colleagues, which he said had hitherto been pending.  

Demola Olanrewaju of the Ministry of Communication, who commended the administration for its unprecedented strides and commitment to staff welfare, appealed for more equipment for the Ministry- Team@orientactualmags.com
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