Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has approved immediate reduction of workdays for the workforce in the state to lessen the impact of the subsidy removal on their earnings.
A statement on Monday in Ilorin by his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye also said that the governor met with top labour leaders in the state.
The statement added that AbdulRazaq appealed to them that the recent
removal of fuel subsidy had been done in good faith to curb further
damage to the economy.
“Civil servants will now work for three days in Kwara State, as
against the current five days.
“Civil service authorities are expected to release further guidance on
the measure, including how it affects health workers and teachers.
“Removal of subsidy is definitely a painful decision that the
government had to take in the larger interest of the country.
“It is the cheapest and most sustainable option available to curb
criminal bleeding of the resources at the expense of the larger
public.
“Subsidy regime means Nigeria is running a deficit budget that
continues to hurt economic growth and make people poorer.
“The country had to borrow to feed a tiny few, while important things
like infrastructural development, industrial growth, and job creation
receive lesser resources.
“Now that subsidy has been removed as there is no provision for it in
the budget anymore, the government is open to veritable ideas from the
labour unions on how to redirect the savings for maximum public
benefit, including pay rise.
“Mr. President and all of us (Governors) really acknowledge the
short-term pains that come with the development, but we are committed
to making sure that the interest of the workers and the Nigerian
people is protected,” the statement said.
State NLC Chairman, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, said the call
for such a meeting showed good leadership on the part of the Governor.
He agreed with AbdulRazaq that dialogue is better than strike action
at this time, urging the Governor to use his good office as NGF
Chairman to intervene in the national issue for amicable resolutions.
“As said by you, we know there is a little misunderstanding between
leadership of NLC and the representatives of the federal government.
“We have discussed it holistically within ourselves at the state level
that when a negotiation is ongoing, it doesn’t call for strikes
demonstration,” he said.
State TUC Chairman, Comrade Joseph Tunde Meshach, said engagement and
dialogue are the best options to resolve the issues.
He appealed to the government to be sincere as they go about the
discussion of a new minimum wage for workers and palliatives for the
poor masses.
The meeting was also attended by Chairman Nigerian Medical Association
(NMA) Kwara state chapter Dr. Ola Ahmad; and Chairman National
Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners
Association (NAGGMDP) Dr. Yusuf Amuda.
Others were Vice Chairman National Union of Printing, Publishing and
Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW) Comrade Mrs. Medinat Jimoh; as well
as the representatives of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees
(NULGE); among others.
They were led to the meeting by the Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole.
END
