The Chairman, Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Farouk Akanbi, and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Mr. Olumoh Kolawole, have expressed their readiness to support the state government to avert retrenchment of workers as a result of the fall in crude oil price and dwindling government revenue.

While they said the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, had assured them that there would be no retrenchment, the labour leaders also said they would mobilise their members, if necessary, to team up with government in its drive for internally generated revenue.

They spoke in separate interviews with our correspondent in Ilorin on Tuesday.

Akanbi said the state chapter of NLC was willing to, if required to assist the government with information and modalities that would assist it reduce cost of governance, plug loopholes in government revenue apparatus and shore up IGR.

Akanbi said, “We thank God that the state governor has been able to pay the salaries of workers at the state, the teaching service and even the local government.

“We have had the opportunity of meeting with the governor and we had assurances that only the cost of governance would be reduced, that the workers would not be affected in any way and that the state government would make efforts to generate more revenue and if possible areas where they can get surpluses to make sure that the workers continue to have their salaries as and when due. That will be the focus in 2015. We do not have any fear of possible retrenchment in 2015.

“We will accept if the government is willing to make use of our members in revenue generation drive. We will take active part. We will let government see areas where it is collecting resources that it can save. “

Kolawole also said with the assurance from the governor, workers in the state would neither be retrenched nor their salaries slashed.

He also said the members of the TUC could be relevant in revenue drive for the government.

“Kolawole said, “I believe that there are many ways we can assist government to jerk up revenues. The IGR can be increased. We know where the loopholes are and we can advise government appropriately. We can even ensure that our members work diligently so that revenue can be boosted.”