SANWO-OLU INTERACTS WITH LAGOS PUBLIC SERVANTS, PROMISES IMPROVED WELFARE

It was a massive turn-out at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium Hall of Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos, yesterday Thursday 28th February, 2019, as Lagos Water Corporation staff joined other Lagos Public servants in the State to honour the call of Lagos State Head of Service (HOS) Mr. Hakeem Muri Okunola popular refer to as “Field Marshal of Lagos Civil Servants”.

The HOS had mobilized/assembled the State Civil Servants to an interactive session with the Lagos State All Progressive Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu, who was accompanied to the memorable session by his Deputy, Dr. Hamsat Obafemi Kadiri.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Muri-Okunola appreciated the massive turn out of the public servants whom he described as Most efficient and vibrant public servants in Nigeria, as they have chosen to witness and interact with two most important personalities in the scheme of things in the state, to listen to their plans (Roadmap for greater Lagos) for the State Public Servants and Lagos State in general, and more importantly to seek their supports as preferred Candidate in the 2019 Governorship election schedule for 9th March, 2019 across the State.

While thanking the large crowd in his address, Mr. Sanwo-Olu could not hide his feelings as he felt humbled and delighted to see people gathering at the venue, promising improved welfare package and condition of service.

He stated that, “though, I have gone out to meet over 22 millions citizens across the State to tell them my plans, I am also here today to ask for your support and to ask you to come out on the 9th of March to cast your vote for me as the next Governor of the state.

“Am here to tell you what I have to do for you if elected to the office, as my plan is based on the acronym of THEME and promise all inclusive government”, adding that together, we make Lagos a 21st century Economy State.

As a government and people, we are clear about our destination. We have also evolved implementable roadmap, hinged on our 5 pillars of Development – THEME.

THEME is an acronym of 5 critical areas of intervention our government will focus on, these are: Traffic Management & Transportation; Health & Environment; Education & Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century economy and; Entertainment and Tourism.

“Security and Infrastructure are key to our envisioned tourism and entertainment economy, because, people must feel safe to move around anytime of the day.

“We will deliver committedly”, he declared.”

While answering questions from the anxious civil servants, Mr. Sanwo-Olu stated that, In 2010, Lagos state was the first State to implement minimum wage, and he should be trusted to pay and implement the new minimum wage, describing it as the “KOKO”.

Workers’ welfare will be a priority of his administration if elected, promising that he would run a listening government to which every worker will have access.

“Our programmes will not be effectively implemented and our objectives achieved without the readiness of the public servants to work with us as the drivers of these policies and promises made to Lagosians.

“Most of our programmes will be technology-driven and we feel there is need to meet with you and prepare you ahead.”

All the government offices will be equipped with free Wi-Fi to promote seamless communications among government workers, he added.

He promised that his government would bring back international capacity building and training and retraining opportunities for workers, but said the condition for selecting beneficiaries would be strictly be based on merit.

Promising that workers’ salaries would be paid on the 23rd day of every month, adding that condition of service will be improved upon.

“Our government would be all inclusive and listening government, we shall feel your pulse and you will have access to us, to feel what you feel.”

The governorship candidate also promised not to abandon the projects started by the outgoing government, re-assuring the workers that his administration would improve on the achievements recorded by the current government.

“We shall continue our friendship, it is a government that you will love, that will take care of your needs and care for you.

“We are to improve on the Welfare packages to motivate public servants in the state and implement the agendas of Lagos State.

Staff canteen, staff clinic and staff quarters will be provided.

“On Health Insurance, there will be prompt payment of health premium for better and improved service delivery.

“Retirement is real, so you need to plan for it, when you are retired, you will not tired. Payment of retirement benefits will be made same year you retire, and not 2, 3 years after.

“Housing for civil servant: we shall increase our home/housing projects, so that when they retire you can have home of yourselves.”

Linear accelerator to detect cancer will be provided. Creation of more agricultural scheme so that more people can invest on agriculture.

“We are going to fix all staff buses, through procurement practices.

“Directors will be provided with cars to aid their mobility and improve efficiency towards improved service delivery in the State, Mr. Sanwo-Olu concluded.

Also at the event included the Ikorodu House of representatives member, Mr. Jimi Benson, Lagos Island House of representatives member, Mr. Yakub Balogun, Chairman of the party in Lagos, Hon. Tunde Balogun, and the Director-General of the Sanwo-Olu campaign group, Tayo Ayinde, Engr. Bamgboye Martins among others.