May Day: we pressurized Akeredolu to extend tenure of Head of Service

The Nigeria Labour Congress in Ondo on Friday revealed why it put pressure on governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to extend the tenure of Mr Dare Aragbaiye as the state head of service.

The Organized labour said it was due to Aragbaiye’s outstanding performance since he was appointed in July 2019.

It will be recalled that a petition by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, in Ondo state had asked Akeredolu to reverse the extension of the HOS tenure.

The demand was however kicked against by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state.

The NLC Chairman, Comrade Sunday Adeleye disclosed this while presenting a workers’ position to the Akeredolu at the Government House Ground, Akure to commemorate the 2020 May Day.

Adeleye noted that both the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and NLC state leadership went to beg Akeredolu to retain Aragbaiye as the Head of Service because he belonged to the workers.

He said: “For the first time, I want to state here publicly that the service elongation of the Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye was not the making of the governor of Ondo State, but the wish of the workers of the state.

“We appreciate the Government of Ondo State of what it has been doing since inception in 2017. All workers have gotten their 2019 promotion letter. 2020 promotion exercise has also commenced. We are grateful for all you have done for us.”

The Chairman said “approval and implementation year 2019 promotion. Appointment of 31 Permanent Secretaries, General Managers and Tutors General.

“Appointment of Mr. ‘Dare Aragbaiye as the Head of our Bureaucracy. A round peg in a round hole. Approval and payment of the new minimum wage and consequential adjustment with Specialized /Peculiar allowance.

“Approval and payment of 33% Pension increase to Ondo State Pensioners. Re-employment of floating disengaged Nursing officers in UNIMED.

“Approval of year 2020 promotion for eligible and deserving officers. Massive infrastructural turn around across the length and breadth of Ondo State,” Adeleye-Oluwole said.

He noted that “our prayer is that Mr. Governor directs that the office of the Head of Service, in the spirit of the Workers Day facilitate the release of promotion letters to deserving and eligible workers across all the services in the State without further delay.

AKEREDOLU APPROVES CAR LOANS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Governor Akeredolu expressed appreciation to the organized labour for coming out with the truth on the extension of the Head of Service tenure.

He described Aragbaiye as a competent, trusted, reliable and straightforward top bureaucrat who had helped his administration to stabilise the public service and entrench cordial relationship between the state government and its workforce.

Akeredolu, also approved car loans for primary school teachers across the state.

The governor, who thanked the workers in the state for their understanding and support, assured that his administration will pay the outstanding one month arrears, being the last of the inherited seven months arrears from the previous administration.

He stressed that the arrears will be paid before the end of his first tenure in office.

Akeredolu said his administration has appointed 41 Permanent Secretaries based on merit and seniority in the civil service.

He also disclosed that his administration had promoted deserving workers, while the 2020 promotion exercise had already commenced but it was being delayed by COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the training and retraining of workers has started, adding that building well-trained workers will promote efficiency and productivity.

According to the Governor, officers in some critical areas of the work force, like doctors and nurses have been recruited for improved health care delivery service in the state.

He said: “through you, the labour leaders, I want to thank all our health workers. They are doing a great job. I want to thank God that the 3rd Coronavirus case, a medical officer, has been discharged.”