Niger State Governor,Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has said the welfare of civil servants in the state remain his major priority despite the economic challenges facing by the state.
Governor Sani-Bello stated this on Tuesday in Minna, the state capital during the Worker’s Day celebration.
The Governor who described the workers in the state as hardworking civil servants also described them as the best in the country, emphasizing that they must be compensated.
He commended workers for their doggedness and dedication towards their work and the development and growth in the state.
“I like the civil servants in Niger State and I pity them because they work so hard and they receive peanuts at the end of the month. I have come to realize that Niger State civil servants are one of the best in Nigeria. Majority are very hardworking but we have very few whose damages are over shadowing the work of the hardworking ones.
“We need to compensate our workers but the resources are very limited. So we have to collectively sought for the resources and I can assure you that we are working on it.”
He admonished other workers who are corrupt and exhibiting lackadaisical attitudes at their work place to “repent” and be dedicated and hardworking.
” I know for a fact that some of you are collecting 2-3 salaries but you must change. If you know you are part of this you must repent before you are caught.”
Governor Sani-Bello however urged the civil servants in the state to continue to be hardworking and do their best so as to contribute to the development of the state at large.
He assured the civil servants that the refund of the 7.5% would soon commence, adding that the implementation of workers promotion and benefit would be prompt.
Governor Sani-Bello also reassured the workers in the state that the state government will look into upward review of their salaries
Meanwhile the Chairman, Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Yahaya Idris Ndako who disclosed that the theme of this year’s May Day Celebration is “The Role of Labour Movement in National Development : Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win” said the theme was chosen considering the numerous challenges facing the country and the untold socioeconomic hardship bedeviling Nigerians.
He called on the state government to place priority on the welfare of workers in the state adding that the training and retraining of civil servants is paramount.
The NLC Chairman commended Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello’s administration for the prompt payment of salaries to workers and infrastructure development in the state.
“Let me commend the effort of our Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello in transforming Niger State through beautification of Minna, the State Capital, Construction and reconstruction of roads, rehabilitation and equipping of our schools and Hospitals especially in the three geo-political zones of the state. Kudos to Mr Governor for his efforts towards revamping agriculture by making fertilizer and other agricultural inputs easily available and accessible to farmers in the state.
