2011: Jonathan Promises Electoral Integrity, Approves N10 Billion Housing Loan for Workers
ABUJA, May 29, (THEWILL) - As Nigeria today marks Democracy Day celebration, President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the nation that his administration will conduct good elections next year adding that the process will be credible, where every voter will only be entitled to a vote and that every vote will count.
"Let me once again assure all Nigerians that this time, under my watch, all votes will count. It is my sacred duty to ensure that you are able to vote and that your votes count," stressing that with full conviction Nigeria will attain electoral integrity in 2011 and beyond.
In a broadcast to the nation to mark this year’s Democracy Day in Abuja, Jonathan noted that “we must develop a democratic culture in which the will of the people will be treated as sacred and be immune to subversion by anti-democratic elements. That is why the consummation of the process of electoral reform is a collective task that must be done this year."
President Jonathan further said the sacrifices that our compatriots living and dead have made to enthrone democracy should compel the country to take democratic enterprise more seriously and with greater vigilance.
"We must work to ensure that by the supreme sacrifices of these great heroes, it should no longer be necessary for the tree of freedom to be watered by the blood of yet more martyrs,"he advised.
Speaking on the internal democracy that is currently non existent in most of the political parties including the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he noted that for the parties to be relevant in the nation's democratic enterprise, it is compulsory that a regime of internal party democracy must prevail in the parties adding that it is the political parties that are imbued with democratic spirit that would deepen the practice of democracy in our land.
Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day on May 29th of every year.
NEW SALARY SCALE FOR WORKERS TAKES EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2010.
The President also announced the approval of a new salary scale for workers in the country. He said the scale would take effect on July 1, 2010.
"Indeed, we support the right of every worker to earn a living wage for addressing basic necessities of life. You will recall that at the last May Day Celebration, we assured workers that we will address the problems of distortions in pay relativity in the Public Service. This has now been resolved positively. The new salary scale shall take effect from July 1, 2010."
He also used the occasion to announce the resolution of housing problems of civil servants as the Federal Government has approved the release of the sum of N10 Billion to the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) for onward disbursement to eligible civil servants as loans to enable them own their own houses.
"Also, in our resolve to address the housing challenge of civil servants, Government has approved the release of the sum of N10 Billion to the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) for onward disbursement to eligible civil servants as loans to enable them own their own houses," the President announced.