By Adekola Afolabi

|

The Ondo State Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo has applauded the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his  commitment to the welfare of workers and the people of the state.

Adeyemo, specifically commended the Governor for the uncommon transparency in management of funds and administration. 

He lauded him for the payment of salary arrears apart from other welfare packages for the state workforce.

According to him, Akeredolu is sacrificing a lot to prioritize the welfare of civil servants, saying this should not be taken for granted by workers.

The Head of Service in an interview with The Hope yesterday, appreciated the Governor for fulfilling his promises not only to workers but the entire people of the state, saying this has stood him out.

He encouraged civil servants to put in their best to reciprocate the kind gesture of the Governor by being dedicated to duties and loyal to government for the betterment of the state.

“We thank God for the payment of the two months’ salary arrears. You will recall that Mr Governor has always been emphasising it that by the grace of God he will pay the salary of workers and  will not owe any worker before the end of his administration. That is his promise, and God has been helping him.

“So, any little fund that Mr Governor has been able to gather, he is willing to use it to offset salary arrears. Mr Governor has been able to use the money available to pay two months salaries. By the grace of God, Mr Governor as we know him, is a ‘Talk and Do’ Governor and he is not interested in owing any worker at all.

Very soon, more of this will still come. He takes the welfare of workers as a priority.  He is a man of impeccable character. Just last week, the NBA named a building after him in Abuja because of the  quality they found in him when he was President of the NBA. He has also demonstrated this in Ondo state as governor. He is a fair man; he is fair to all.

“You will recall that,  he has been paying full salaries for the past five months. It is not because the money is there but because of the sacrifice of the government and the wish and commitment of Mr Governor to workers’ welfare. That is what is reflecting now.

“Civil servants are very happy, and I want to thank the labour leaders for their understanding. There is utmost, pure transparency in government management of funds and administration.  This is why government is enjoying the cooperation of labour leaders because nothing is hidden. Government always sits down with labour leaders and consider the money that comes in.

“So, civil servants are extremely happy to receive the two months salaries within two weeks. This has reduced the level of their indebtedness and assisted them in meeting their needs. Mr Governor is also supporting workers in getting housing and car loans. He has also approved Contributory Health Insurance Scheme for civil  servants; government is paying as huge as 60 per cent of total amount to be paid by workers while workers will only pay 40 per cent. This will reduce the catastrophic financial spending on health by workers, henceforth.

“So, these are some of the welfare packages that government is putting in place for workers”, Adeyemo said.