By Falayi Olanrewaju
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has highlighted his various achievements since he assumed Office in the State.
The Governor said this while delivering his speech on Monday at the Worker’s Day 2023 event held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
Oyebanji stated that “within the few months of this administration, efforts have been made to ensure that priority is placed on workers’ welfare. Let me assure you that our administration will continue to fulfill its obligations to workers. We are not going to renege on our promises as captured in our road-map to Ekiti prosperity”.
It is our desire that Ekiti State becomes a reference point for success in the comity of states. This administration has taken steps that will positively impact on the people of the State inspite the limited resources available. This government is sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of our people. As a people, we all deserve the best at all times, and with God on our side, we shall get the very best.
“However, our administration will continue to make determined efforts to improve workers’ conditions of service, payment of deduction arrears has been completed, while all the 2018 deduction arrears have also been paid.
“Also, the implementation of 2019 promotion has equally been approved, coupled with hazard allowances and residency training allowance for Medical Doctors. All these clearly show that workers’ welfare remains a top priority for my administration and all other outstanding issues shall be addressed in due course”.
Oyebanji stressed that, he had paid a total sum of N30,606,198,988.31 as salaries to all categories of workers and pensioners since he assumed office.
Similarly, a total sum of N4,180,081,726.53 was used to defray 2018 outstanding salaries to both state and local government workers. In addition, the Government has approved the sums of N700,000,000.00 for the payment of gratuities to the State retirees and another N235,000,000.00 for the local government retirees.
Oyebanji revealed further that the sum of N6,214,563,734.01 has been released so far, to our subvented higher institutions of learning, including payment of outstanding arrears.
“We have also released the sum of N267, 070,000.00 as Housing Loan to 1,901 beneficiaries comprising both state and local government workers including teachers, while another sum of N228, 300,000.00 was disbursed as car loans to all categories of workers.
“You are undoubtedly aware that payments of deductions have contributed, in no small measure, to the disbursement of car and housing loans to workers. This has helped workers to continue to meet their personal obligation and improve the economy of the State in general”.
The Governor also used the occasion to thank the organised NLC, TUC and other private workforce sectors for its support during the recent presidential elections which contributed immensely to the success of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
“The Ekiti State Governor used the opportunity to congratulate the Worker’s for their remarkable celebration and expressed his hope to continue to enjoy there support in building the State to an enviable level”, he submitted.