Date: 2019-05-31

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has told civil servants in the state that he would not witch-hunt anyone for their political beliefs.

The Governor said this on Thursday during interaction with top echelon of civil servants in the state, at Government House Banquet Hall, Ilorin.

Governor AbdulRazaq promised not to label anyone, but would rather carry everybody along and promote a culture of transparency and independence.

According to the Governor, Kwara wold regain its rightful place particularly in the North where it used to be the number one in terms of education and other aspects of life.

AbdulRazaq promised to ensure prompt payment of May salary to workers, as well as the minimum wage after due consultations with civil servants and proper assessment of the financial situation of the state.

He also assured that his government would attain the height where there shall be no backlog of salary and pensions.

"We'll discuss the minimum wage. The intention is to pay but we need to sit down and resolve a few issues. There has been so much plundering of the state resources but we will rise above all that. We'll ride on your back to get things done while your welfare is taken care of."

The Governor spoke extensively on his agenda for the state such as plugging loopholes, reducing overhead costs through prudent management of resources, addressing the infrastructure deficits in the state and creating wealth through private enterprise.

The meeting was attended by top party leaders led by APC chairman Bashir Bolarinwa; head of the civil service, Mrs Sudan Oluwole Dupe; permanent secretaries; directors; and other senior civil servants in the state.

AbdulRazaq had earlier held a meeting with Kwara thoughts leaders during which he called on them to support his administration to rebuild Kwara from the scratch.

Attendees at the forum included former leaders of the state, technocrats, top politicians, professional bodies, trade unions, religious groups, and women and youth groups.

AbdulRazaq said report of the Transition Committee, which is still being studied, revealed so much decadence and abuse of public trust so much that all hands must be on deck to pull Kwara out of the woods.

AbdulRazaq promised to be as inclusive and equitable as possible in the running of the state, especially in his appointments and spread of government projects.

He said his administration would always consult with the people, especially thoughts leaders from all backgrounds, through open fora with a view to put the government in constant check.

The leaders took turns to draw the governor's attention to issues the administration must address to move the state forward.

Logun, chairman of the Transition Committee, called on Kwarans to support the new administration to tackle the challenges ahead.

While the representatives of the labour unions called for prompt payment of salaries and pension arrears, those of the Nigerian Medical Association and women groups called for urgent attention on the deteriorating health sector where they said there has been breakdown of infrastructure and paucity of doctors.