L-R: Special Adviser, Governor's office, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae; Special Adviser, Policy and Strategy, Mr. Biodun Omoleye; and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, during an unscheduled visit to offices at the State Secretariat, in Ado-Ekiti.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has reiterated the resolve of his administration in placing premium on the welfare of workers in the State by not reneging on its efforts at improving their lots.
The Governor gave the assurance when he paid unscheduled visits to all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state secretariat and the Governor’s office in Ado Ekiti, the State capital. He said the workers played crucial roles in the rapid development of the State in 2013 and deserved the best of working conditions as the State begins another year.
Governor Fayemi who described the workers as strategic partners in the efforts to move the state forward, said the support of the state workforce, who are the engine room of government, is crucial to the development of the state.
He explained that the visit was aimed at appreciating the workers for their hard work and dedication last year and also to encourage them to put in more efforts in the new year.
The Governor said: “It is the first full week of the year even though work had started last Thursday. Generally speaking most people will not get back to work until the first full week of the year. So it was just my way of showing appreciation to our workers for all the hard work and admonish them to contribute a larger share of their interest to the state this year.
“We are on a collective rescue mission, the governor alone, no matter the weight of his office, cannot make a change so he needs the support of all the workers both at the state and local government so that the developmental changes we want can be made”, he said.
While stating that the visit had afforded him the opportunity to assess the working conditions of the workers, the Governor disclosed that the uncompleted buildings abandoned by the previous administration at the State secretariat would be completed this year so that there would be adequate space for the workers who have no office accommodation.
Dr Fayemi added that the Secretariat will also be fenced to enhance security of the work environment while also enhancing the productivity of the staff.
The Governor while urging the workers to support government in bringing more development and maintaining the relative peace which the State enjoys, asserted that his administration will not shirk in meeting its obligations to the state as seen in the prompt payment of December salaries and Christmas allowances even when the Federal Government establishments are yet to get their November salaries.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr Bunmi Famosaya commended the Governor for prioritizing the welfare of the workers especially in the prompt payment of salaries and allowances, noting that his inspection to the various offices would yield positive results.
Famosaya who described civil servants as major stakeholders in the development of the State charged them to be loyal to the government.
The Governor was hailed by the workers who were very happy that Fayemi visited them, shook hands with them and even carried the babies of some who brought their babies to office before taking them to the Creche created at the Secretariat for their children.
Fayemi was accompanied by the Head of Service, Mr Famosaya, the Special Adviser Governor’s office, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae and Senior Special Assistant on Policy and Strategy, Mr Biodun Omoleye.
Last modified: January 6, 2014
