Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Monday said the administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers and protect the interest of labour unions in the state.
The governor, who said this while addressing workers on the May Day, acknowledged workers support before and during the last general elections.
He congratulated the Nigerian workers and labour leaders on the celebration of May Day, adding; “May Day is grounded in the progressive and noble values of the global workforce, including in Nigeria”.
“Great workers, this administration is your own and it will always be your own. We owe our recent election victory to God Almighty, to you the great workers and to all the people of our state who stood for the collective aspirations to place Kwara on a path of steady, inclusive growth and collective prosperity that we represent.
“I thank you very much. I reassure you that we will not drop the ball. We will continue to prioritise your welfare while also creating an environment for collective growth,” he said.
AbdulRazaq pledged to maximise the gains of the last four years through implementation of various programmes and policies, saying the workers would always be needed for the success of such steps.
“Our agenda is to consolidate on the successes of the last four years through continuous infrastructural renewal, and easing of the business climate,” the governor said.
AbdulRazaq also said his government would also focus on expansion of our economic base through support for macro and microeconomic activities, especially small and medium scale enterprises, and general industrial growth.
He also listed growing internal revenue, improving the regime of transparency and accountability, agricultural development, combating environmental and climate crisis such as flooding, and strengthening rule of law, peace and security in the state as areas of concern for the administration.
“We cannot do this without the support of workers. I acknowledge the fact that trade unions are important pillars of any democratic society.
“You are always key to the wider struggles for universal human rights and welfare of your members.
“Kwara State is known for industrial harmony and we will do our best to keep it that way within the resources available to us. Let us keep being friends and allies in our collective drive for a better Kwara.
“I am similarly appealing to the Labour unions across Nigeria to work for a seamless transition of government following the recent election cycle from which different political parties have been pronounced winners of different offices.
“I am not just asking you to support our government in Kwara; I am especially enjoining you to give your full support to the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
State NLC Chairman, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, in his address commended the Governor for giving the welfare of workers and pensioners a top priority, including prompt payment of workers’ salaries and their promotion as and when due.
He saluted the entire workforce for working tirelessly in creating the wealth of the state, acknowledging the important roles the labour movement is playing to strengthen the local economy.
Olayinka requested the government to urgently address pending issues concerning workers’ welfare across different subsectors of the economy.
State TUC Chairman, Comrade Joseph Tunde, acknowledged AbdulRazaq’s giant strides in infrastructure development, and workers’ welfare, and tasked the Governor to do more in the new dispensation.
The Governor attended the event alongside Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole; cabinet members; and Commissioner of Police Paul Odama.
Also in attendance was the Director General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies Issa Aremu and several serving and former labour leaders.
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