Governor Abdullahi Sule has been commended by the organised labour in Nasarawa State for allocating government quarters to civil servants on owner-occupier basis.
The organised labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), expressed their gratitude during the celebration of the 2024 Workers Day on Wednesday in Lafia.
Comrade Ismaila Okoh, NLC Chairman represented by Simon Yakubu, Vice Chairman of the union, said that the release of allocation letters of the houses was a welcome development.
He added that the dreams of the beneficiaries to own houses during their active service was made a reality and the union was highly appreciative of the gesture.
Okoh also lauded the governor for the approval and payment of hazard allowance to health workers at the state level in April and appealed for the same gestures to be extended to their counterparts at the local government areas.
He explained that the hazard allowance would help in addressing the exodus of healthcare workers from the state as a result of poor welfare package.
The NLC boss noted that given the economic hardship being faced by the removal of fuel subsidy, the government should immediately commence the payment of N35,000 wage award to civil servants to cushion the hardship.
He also called on Gov. Sule to implement the new minimum wage as soon as it is approved at the federal level to boost the morale of workers in the state for optimal productivity.
On his part, Comrade Mohammed Doma, TUC Chairman described the governor as a workers friendly person who had always given attention to welfare of civil servants.
He listed some of the achievements of the governor to include approval of government quarters to civil servants on owner-occupiers basis, payment of N10, 000 palliative to civil servants, employment, permanent appointment to casual workers.
Others, he said, are distribution of palliative to students of tertiary institutions, implementation of promotions, lifting of ban on study leave among others.
The TUC Chairman however, appealed to the governor to implement all outstanding promotions and pay the amount that might be approved at the federal level as new minimum wage without delay.
He, therefore, assured the government of their unalloyed loyalty and commitment towards implementing government’s policies and programmes for the overall development of the state.
Responding, Gov. Sule, represented by Abigail Waya, Head of Civil Service, appreciated the union and workers for their support to his administration since inception in 2019.
The governor said that his administration had brought a lot of initiatives to better the working condition of workers and the entire people of the state.
Sule explained that the administration had employed more than 8,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in secondary and tertiary institutions.
“I employed more than 2, 000 healthcare workers and had given permanent appointment to over 1, 000 casual workers.
“We have approved the review of retirement age of teachers at all levels from 60 years to 65 years and 30 years of service to 35 years.
“I have directed the Head of Civil Service to work out modalities and obtain loan facility at the Mortgage Bank to the workers who were recently given quarters to enable them pay for the houses,” the governor added.
Sule, therefore, assured that the remaining part of his tenure would be dedicated to total transformation of the state and better welfare for its citizens.
NAN
