Hope James
The Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has approved the payment of the 2019 promotion arrears for both the State and Local Government workers.
The Ekiti State Head of Service, Barrister Dele Agbede, who disclosed this on Tuesday, in the State Capital, stated that Mr Governor has through this approval demonstrated his commitment to his electioneering promises and the development of public service.
According to him, Governor Oyebanji has done a lot in his short time of five months into his administration for the civil servants, including payment of one month areas of salary for the state workers and two months arrears of salaries for the Local Government, the first and second phase of the Contributory Pension Scheme which pays beneficiaries who has retired up to 2022 December, payment of some Local Government and Primary School Leave bonuses, approval of payment for Hazard allowance for medical practitioners in both State and EKSUTH, clearance of the backlog of about 18 Months of Federal Housing Mortgage deductions for the civil servants, payment of cooperative deduction areas and regular payment of monthly cooperative deductions with check-off dues and above all, regular and timely payment of salaries.
Agbede also stated that the Governor has paid part of the gratuity of the Local Government retirees, approved the elongation of the Executive Officers cadres (Accounts/Audit/cooperative Inspector/Revenue cadres from GL14 to GL 15 and inclusion of Banking and Finance Degree in the scheme of service and approval of attendance of a Permanent Secretary to a leadership training in Kuru, Jos.
He commended the amiable Governor for the promise kept on the welfare of workers despite the lean resources of the Government and a long list of needs from various sectors, promising that the workers will not disappoint the government.
Agbede reiterated the commitment of the Government to continue to consider more of the requests of the workers on arrears on promotion, consequential Adjustment of minimum wage and the rest from time to time realizing the important roles workers play as the engine room of government in the development of the society.
He also praised the labour leaders for showing understanding in the affairs of the state and call for more patience with greater hope that the Governor will alleviate the backlog of the problems confronting workers at this speed of development and welfare packages gradually unfolding for workers.
Agbede further called on workers to reciprocate by being updated in their schedules to assist the government to achieve its mandate of poverty reduction and improving the lives of the Ekiti people.