Kwara Gov again debunks workers’ sack rumour if reelected

Kwara Gov again debunks workers’ sack rumour if reelected

*Says it’s handiwork of opposition

By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

For the umpteenth time, Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has dismissed the insinuation that he would sack workers in his second term, describing it as “a wicked rumour being peddled by members of the opposition and calling it a product of simplistic thinking.”

AbdulRazaq, who spoke during a
courtesy visit by the new NLC leadership in the state, led by Comrade Murtala Saheed Olayinka, said he has no such agenda because it brings no good to the state or the government itself.

The Governor said he looked forward to working harmoniously with the labour unions and insisted that workers’ salaries and improved welfare would remain a top priority for his administration, adding that: “We have heard the opposition saying that we are going to sack workers. They are saying this because there’s nothing for them to campaign with again. They didn’t know it is much more expensive to sack workers than to maintain them. They think if you remove 50 workers from the ministry of works, then you are not paying salaries for 50 persons. It doesn’t work that way. That is simplistic thinking. Yes, in the Ministry of Works you may have a gap of 50. But you have to go to the Ministry of Finance because you have to pay pensions and gratuities for the same 50 people, which are a lot more than sacking anyone. This is besides the social implications.

“If you sack a worker, you are only saving possibly 30%, but you are again loading pension and gratuities. It is cheaper for us to maintain civil servants than sacking them. So, that is not in our agenda. It does not benefit us or the society as every family has a civil servant at least. We are not going to sack workers. We are determined to improve your welfare instead.

“We will continue to work with you. Our doors are always open. We have a policy to hire any doctor available because doctors are leaving this country every day or leaving state hospitals to federal health facilities. So, we need more hands.”

Earlier, the newly inaugurated Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman Comrade Murtala Saheed Olayinka, said Governor AbdulRazaq has been a progressive leader who truly cares for the people of the state, including workers. .

He said, who lauded the Governor’s programmes and projects which he said are visible to all even as he continues to prioritise the welfare of workers, however, called for better synergy between the government and the Labour unions.

Comrade Saheed said: “As we love our state, Kwara, we are so much in love with our Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for being so caring for our community. We are monitoring the trend of events in the state and the achievements recorded so far as quite visible and laudable. Recently, I was told that the promotion of local government workers for the year 2022 is currently being released. Kudos to your administration.

“No worker will feel happy when they are stagnant on a level for years without promotion. So, workers of Kwara State since the beginning of your administration are happy and encouraged. It is our desire and belief that you should continue in this rightful direction. We pray Allaah will continue to guide and protect you.”

He also commended the Governor for his support for the recently concluded conference of the NLC in Ilorin.

The courtesy visit was also attended by the Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters Comrade Abdulmumin Onagun; and other members of the State Administrative Council of the NLC.

End