The Nigeria Labour Congress in Nasarawa has applauded Governor Abdullahi Sule for allocating government quarters to civil servants on an owner-occupier basis.
The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) expressed their gratitude during the celebration of the 2024 Workers Day on Wednesday in Lafia.
Ismaila Okoh, NLC chairman, welcomed the release of allocation letters for the houses. He added that the beneficiaries’ dreams of owning houses during their active service were made a reality, and the union was highly appreciative of the gesture.
Mr Okoh also lauded the governor for approving and paying hazard allowances to health workers at the state level in April and appealed for the same gestures to be extended to their counterparts in the local government areas.
He explained that the hazard allowance would help address the exodus of healthcare workers from the state due to the poor welfare package. The NLC boss noted that given the economic hardship faced by the removal of fuel subsidy, the government should immediately commence the payment of N35,000 wage award to civil servants to cushion the hardship.
He also called on Mr Sule to implement the new minimum wage as soon as it is approved at the federal level to boost the morale of workers in the state for optimal productivity.
TUC chairman Mohammed Doma described the governor as worker-friendly.
He listed some of the governor’s achievements, including the approval of government quarters for civil servants on an owner-occupiers basis, payment of N10 000 in palliative care to civil servants, employment, and permanent appointments for casual workers.
The governor lauded the union and workers for supporting his administration since its inception in 2019. He said that his administration had brought many initiatives to improve the working conditions of workers and others in Nasarawa.
Mr Sule explained that the administration had employed more than 8,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in secondary and tertiary institutions.
“We have approved the review of the retirement age of teachers at all levels from 60 years to 65 years and 30 years of service to 35 years. I have directed the Head of Civil Service to work out modalities and obtain loan facility at the Mortgage Bank to the workers who were recently given quarters to enable them to pay for the houses,” the governor said.
(NAN)
