Benin City – The Edo State Government has called for the support of workers and other stakeholders to sustain ongoing reforms in the civil and public service, aimed at ensuring efficient and quality service delivery to Edo people.
Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq, made the appeal at the quarterly meeting with labour unions in the state, at the Government House, Benin City.
The various unions represented at the meeting include the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Teachers (NUT) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), among others.
Okungbowa said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government remains committed to ensuring a progressive and prosperous state, noting that all hands must be on deck to achieve the realization of the Making Edo Great Again (MEGA) Agenda.
Hailing the workers’ sustained collaboration with the government, the Head of Service said the state will continue to prioritize the welfare of the workers, ensuring they are well equipped to provide efficient service to the people.
He stated, “You have supported the government in ensuring that the rules that govern the public and civil service are strictly adhered to. This meeting will further strengthen the relationship and unity that exist between the government and organized labour.
“As a government, we will continue to prioritize the welfare of workers in the state and sustain efforts at ensuring a work-friendly environment for Edo workers to perform optimally.”
On his part, the Chairman, TUC, Comrade Marshall Ohue, hailed the governor for prioritizing workers in the state, applauding the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme initiative aimed at ensuring adequate healthcare for workers in the state.
The NLC Secretary, Comrade Barry Imade, assured the government of the support of the labour unions, promising to collaborate with the government to sustain ongoing reforms in the civil and public service.
During the meeting, a minute silence was observed for the late NLC Chairman, Comrade Sunny Osayande, who died in active service, as well as the Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, late Comrade Sharka Otoede.