We Will Not Retrench Workers—Obiano

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has vowed that his administration will not retrench any public servant in the state rather, his government will deploy every legitimate means to ensure not only regular payment of workers salaries and allowances but also that the high tempo of governance is sustained in spite of the present economic difficulties in the nation.

Governor Obiano disclosed these in a meeting he held today with Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the state service at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia. Chief Obiano stated that his administration has continued to keep faith with the state work force as exemplified in the fifteen percent increase in their salary, regular payment of salaries and leave allowances as well as distribution of food items to workers during festive seasons. He said that the welfare of workers would continue to remain priority of his government as long as they remained diligent, accountable and transparent in carrying out their statutory responsibilities.

The Governor however frowned at the attitude of some workers who rather than assist the state government in its internally generated revenue drive, connive with revenue agents to swindle the state of huge sums of revenue that would have helped in the payment of their salaries. He described such attitude as unacceptable adding that any public servant caught stealing government funds would not only be disgraced out of service but severely punished in accordance with the law.

"We are not so happy that our IGR is hovering between N1.2billion to N1.3billion monthly. We can do better than that. Indeed, we can do more with the strategies we have drafted but some of you here connive to steal internally generated revenues that would have accrued to the state government. Please don't go in that direction because we will arrest and disgrace those involved out of the service and try them in the law courts" the Governor said.

Chief Obiano further urged the workers to key into the vision, mission and strategy of his administration, promising that training programmes would be organized for the workers to enable them imbibe the core values that are required of them to ensure the rapid growth of the state.

Earlier, the State Head of Service, Barr Harold Uduh had commended the Governor for the abiding interest he has in the welfare of workers in the state.

He described the state workforce as a very important constituency that need not be ignored by those in authority even as he pledged the loyalty, support and cooperation of the state workers to ensure that Anambra State truly remains the light of the nation.

Other civil servants who spoke at the occasion thanked the Governor for his worker-friendly disposition, promising to cooperate with his administration to move the state forward.

Emeka Ohuoha,
State Director of Information.
Owelle Onyeka Mbaso
SSA Political to Gov. Obiano
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