Date: 2011-04-15

Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki has approved the setting-up of an Implementation Committee to work out modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage of N18,000 for workers in the State Civil Service.

Governor Saraki dropped this hint Thursday while receiving in audience the newly constituted executive council of the State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its Chairman, Comrade Farouq Akanbi, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Ilorin.

The governor, who restated his commitment to the provision of better working environment for workers in the State, also disclosed that by next week, the committee would be inaugurated by the Deputy Governor, Chief Joel Ogundeji in order to commence work.

Dr Saraki said his administration knows the importance of workers in the State and assured the new leadership of the NLC that he would continue to do things that are necessary to improve the Civil Service, being the engine room of government.

Lamenting what the State was at the inception of his administration in 2003 in terms of poor revenue base, he said government had not waivered at providing conducive atmosphere for its workforce despite the challenges.

"If you know the challenges of the State at the inception of our administration in 2003, out of the 36 States of the Federation, we were 33 in revenue allocation but we have not allowed that to deter us and we try as much as possible to improve the condition of Kwara workers", the governor stated.

He, however, congratulated and commended the out-going Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Aiyeoribe for his leadership prowess and for toeing the path of dialogue and consultation, advising the new leadership to emulate his virtues.

Congratulating the new Chairman and his team for their victory at the poll, Dr Saraki specifically charged them to continue to provide guidance to the workers and assured that workers in the State would be given their fair share till he leaves office.

He also expressed confidence that the new Chairman would continue to take the State chapter of the congress to greater heights in view of his understanding of the issues on ground as a member of the out-going executives.

In his remark, the State Head of Service, Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed disclosed that the council under Comrade Aiyeoribe presented a 23-point demand to the State government, including prompt payment of salary and increment which were all met without resorting to trade dispute.

He commended Aiyeoribe for embracing dialogue which he said had produced a dispute-free atmosphere in the State and called on the new leadership to toe his line.

Earlier, the new Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Farouq Akanbi had expressed appreciation on behalf of the workers to the State government for meeting the 23-point demand of the Congress, ascribing the success story to the peaceful atmosphere existing between government and the workers.

Comrade Akanbi urged other states to emulate Kwara to achieve industrial harmony and promised to follow the path of dialogue in line with the style of his predecessor.

He also assured government of his support as he believes that the reality today is the PDP government and urged it to do more for the workers.
 

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
15/04/2011