From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
As workers mark the 2024 May Day Celebration, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has flagged-off the implementation of N500million revolving loans for the civil servants in the State.
The Governor who symbolically presented the loans dummy cheques to some of the workers at the May Day celebration amidst cheers, said more economic empowerment initiatives will soon be unfolded for workers of Kaduna State.
Governor further assured the labour unions that, Kaduna state Government under his leadership will continue to prioritize workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources, noting that, a committed and motivated workforce is critical to the achievement of his administration’s Rural Transformation Agenda.
Speaking to the theme of this year’s May Day celebration, which is “People First”, Governor Sani said, development is about the people, just as governance is also about the people.
“The people must, at all times, be the center of development. Government exists to cater for the security and welfare of the people. If we remove the people from our calculations, government loses legitimacy and creates conditions for instability.
“For me as Governor of Kaduna State, this year’s May Day is of great significance for two reasons. This is the first May Day Celebration since I became the Governor of Kaduna State. Secondly, the State enjoyed industrial harmony throughout the year. I therefore salute you, the trade union leaders and members for your patriotism and understanding of the State’s precarious fiscal situation.
“We have forged a strategic partnership with the Labour Unions to advance the interests of workers and improve the living conditions of the poor, vulnerable and underserved in Kaduna State. The Labour Unions have participated in all our committees on distribution of palliatives.
“As part of our economic empowerment packages for Kaduna State civil servants, we have commenced the implementation of the N500 Million Revolving Loan Scheme. Other economic empowerment initiatives will soon be unfolded for workers in Kaduna State. We are attracting investments to create job opportunities for our citizens. We are training and retraining workers to put them in good stead to contribute effectively to the economic development of our dear state.
“The Government under my leadership will continue to prioritize workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources, conscious of the fact that a committed and motivated workforce is critical to the achievement of our Rural Transformation Agenda.
“Human capital development and poverty reduction will continue to receive robust government attention through investment in education, health, agriculture, housing, micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as support to security agencies as they tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
“Nigerian Governors, under the platform of the Nigeria Governors Forum are in consultation with the Labour Unions at the Federal and State levels, in order to come up with a decent and acceptable salary increase for state and local government workers. As your comrade and veteran of the struggle for better working conditions for Nigerian workers, I will not rest on my oars until we agree on a wage package that will put smiles on the faces of our workers,” Governor Sani said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman commended Governor Uba Sani for personally attending the May Day Celebration, saying that, the labour had not witnessed presence of Governor at such occasion in the last nine years.
While commending the Governor for prioritizing workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, as well as involvement of the labour unions in decision making in the state, the NLC Chairman expressed hope that, workers will enjoy a favorable working condition throughout the Governor’s tenure.
Highlight of the occasion was colorful match pass by the several unions and affiliates of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).