2023 PUBLIC SERVICE WEEK: WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PRIORITISE WORKERS' WELFARE --AKEREDOLU

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2023 PUBLIC SERVICE WEEK: WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PRIORITISE WORKERS’ WELFARE –AKEREDOLU

Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON, has stressed that the impact of Public Servants at both national and Subnational levels cannot be underestimated, stating categorically that it is impossible to imagine a flow of governance without them.

Speaking at the Public Service Lecture, commemorating the Public Service Week Celebration 2023, held at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome) Akure, Governor Akeredolu said the Public service plays such an important role in government, implying it serves as the stabilizer and enduring face of government.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Catherine Oladunni Odu, the Governor, said the theme of the event: “Leveraging Bureaucratic Potential for the Promotion of Investments in Ondo State, will equip up and coming public servants with immense, knowledge, wisdom and guidance towards efficiency in service delivery.

Pointing out that the lecture was well-timed, he explained that with the recently concluded State Investment Summit tagged: Develop ONDO
2.0, it is imperative for the bureaucracy to be reminded of its roles and rules in the business of growing the economy.

According to him, “In our drive for the rebirth of bureaucratic input into the pursuit of investment promotion in Ondo State, our administration will never undervalue your teamwork, understanding and
commitment. We shall, in thought and action, continue to give precedence
to the welfare of public servants, notwithstanding the State’s lean finances
amidst other competing demands because
without your cooperation, we would
not have recorded the modest feats achieved in all our policy targets”

“it is my hope that this relationship will continue to wax stronger. I am glad to note that many workers, by their diligence,
resilience and industry have been doing us proud at their duty posts by their display of commitment to excellent service. We look forward to more of your noble deeds”. He said.

As regards governments’ effort at empathizing with the public workforce due to economic crunch he said “You may wish to note that following the hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy
removal, the State Government put in place an equitable distribution of palliatives to people from all social strata, in the espoused values of sensitivity for our dear people”.

Governor Akeredolu said further, “I am glad to hear your good testimonies on payment of salaries, prompt
and up-to-date promotion with financial benefits, regular elevation to Accounting Officer’s status, payment of inherited salary arrears, training and retraining, provision of working tools and enabling environment for the service to thrive, among others. Our Administration will continue to do more”.

“In our resolve towards qualitative, improved and accessible healthcare system for public servants, we launched the Orange Health Care Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) to create a sustainable funding mechanism that lowers financial barrier to healthcare of public servants. I am happy that with the understanding of the labour unions,
public servants have bought into the laudable scheme. We are equally
boldly tackling the issue of pension and gratuity”. He assured.

Akeredolu added “it cannot be overstressed that the time has come that all public servants must put in their best at all times in the overall interest of
the system. As important stakeholders in the Ondo State project, our
primary responsibility is to uphold the integrity of our beloved State and
foster accountability and transparency in official transactions, even at all
levels of government”.

Earlier, the Ondo State Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogunleye noted that the annual celebration was crucial even as he stressed that the public service must at all times be rejuvenated to value its roles as the machinery for implementing government policies.

Ogundele who appreciated the Governor for putting the welfare of workers in the front burner added “Our homegrown Reform Initiative, ODSIP, approved by Mr. Governor and driven by the Office of the Head of Service, is making remarkable progress in the entrenchment of the value and virtue of our service. Service delivery is being boosted through digitization of personnel-related records.”

According to a statement signed by the Media Officer in the office of the SSG, the highlight of the Public Lecture event was the presentation of new SUV vehicles to 30 serving Permanent Secretaries in the state; a gesture which confirms that welfare of workers remains a top priority for the Akeredolu-Led administration.