Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has said he would neither retrench nor demote any worker.

Rather, he promised to expand his government's social safety net to accommodate unemployed youths and continue to improve the welfare packages of workers.

The governor also said the salary being paid to the workers presently was in consonant with current realities, saying that the workers were being paid in accordance with Federal allocation due to the state.

Governor Ahmed at a meeting with civil servants on grade level 4-10 in Ilorin, urged the workers to disregard the rumour from some quarters that the state workforce was the least paid.

According to him, "your welfare is paramount to us, we cannot do otherwise than to treat workers well as an engine room of government.

"There is no way we can increase anything except Federal allocation due to the state increases. If I am also given allocation like Lagos, Rivers and Kano, I will do more than they are doing.

"You people should be rest assured that your interest would be taken care of, if things improve".

He therefore, called on the entire state workforce to disregard the campaign of calumny by those he described as enemies of progress.

He expressed gratitude to the entire workforce and particularly labour leaders for the industrial harmony experienced in the state since inception of his government, saying that it had gone a long way in assisting the government.

The State Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako had in his remark praised the government for its prompt payment of the workers' salaries despite the challenges.

Cross section of workers who spoke on the occasion called for the reversal of the new style adopted for the payment of their leave bonuses, and was immediately approved by the governor.

On the absorption of casual workers into the mainstream of the state's civil service, the governor told them that plan was afoot to get it done as soon as possible.