(Benin)
Workers on the payroll of the Edo state government the state’s retireeson Friday, smiled to their banks, following signal that the state government has paid their July salaries and pensions.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, in a statement in Benin, said the state government ensured early payment of salaries and pensions, to cushion the effects of challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
He added that the early payment of salaries and pensions was also to support Muslim faithful who are set to celebrate the Eid-El Kabir festivities.
He said: “In furtherance of efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to ensure the wellbeing and welfare of workers in Edo, the state government has paid civil and public servants’ July 2020 salaries as well as pension for retirees.
“The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has directed the payment of pension and salaries of workers in the state and today, 23rd of July, all civil and public servants have been paid their salaries.
“This is despite the economic setbacks that have bedeviled the Nigerian economy and other parts of the world amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is also a way for the government to identify with the Muslim faithful for the Sallah celebrations.”
The development, Osagie added, was “timed to ensure that our Muslim brothers and sisters are well-catered for during the Sallah festivities amid COVID-19 pandemic.”
The governor’s aide further said that the Obaseki-led administration remained committed to the welfare of workers in the state.
“Several reforms have been carried out in the Edo State civil service, including world-class trainings for the workers, revamp of their work environment, timely payment of salary and the migration of work culture from analogue to digital platform for efficiency,” he added.
Meanwhile, Obaseki, who decamped from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently, has intensified his campaign for votes to secure his second term in the September 19, Governorship election.
Obaseki, who has been traversing the length and breadth of the state; campaigning said:“As we go round the state talking to our citizens, there is so much to say because we have done so much.
” We do not believe that those who are contesting against us have a fraction of our achievements to show.
“So, it is going to be a very unique election. That is why we had to take a lot of time to compose the various committees, so that everyone would feel a sense of belonging. We had to go through a deliberate process to ensure we glue our party together.”
Contributing,the state Chairman of the Campaign Council of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih said: “For this election, the PDP has the best candidate.
” I appreciate the governor, more now that I have more information about his programmes and policies.
“He took over leadership of the government when the state owed its highest debt since creation, but through prudent management and financial discipline, he has reduced the state’s debt profile.”
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