Abudu – As most staff of state and local government establishments at Abudu continue to come to work from Benin city, residents of the community have called on the state government to put measures in place that would ensure workers stay in the area they work.
Abudu, which is the administrative headquarters of Orhionmwon local government area is host to College of Education, Local government Secretariat, High court, General Hospital, amongst others.
According to the residents, the distance between the staff’s place of residence and workplace negatively impact on the service they deliver to the people.
They urged the workers to take advantage of affordable housing accommodation to stay at Abudu, which they maintained is fast developing from a rural to urban areas.
“before you get to your place maybe you will spend almost N400, tomorrow you spend the same amount. Stay, there is a house here N2,500; you can see a room one thousand.
“Any government official working in Abudu should reside here (in Abudu)”, Secretary to the community, Mr Ogbeiwi Osili told our correspondent in the area
But, a top workers union executive in Orhionmwon local government council attributed the reason for the staff non residence at Abudu to “environmental factor”.
The executive who preferred anonymity explained that the lack of electricity, clean water, and insecurity contributed immensely to the workers living far away from their offices.
According to him, “even the staff quarters we are supposed to be staying; no security, bushes everywhere. No water inside the quarters.
“And if you say you want to rent a house, you may end up spending too much of your salary on fuel, to power generator daily.”
