Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has approved another one year tax holiday for the state work force in addition to the one year tax relief earlier approved last Year.
Governor Ododo made the pronouncement on Thursday at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Center, Lokoja to mark the twenty twenty five May Day celebration.
The Governor said the one year tax moratorium was in addition to the one year earlier approved on approval and implementation of the new national minimum wage to cushion the harsh economic effects facing workers.
Additionally, the Governor also approved an extension of retirement age of health professionals from Sixty to sixty five years or thirty five to forty years as length of service.
Also, Governor Ododo approved the immediate provision of potable water for the Comrade Onuh Edoka Labour House for the use of the workers and the residents in the environs.
He acknowledged the contributions of the workers to the development of Kogi State, saying that a responsive government would accord priority to the welfare of workers, explaining however that the enormous demands of the organized Labour could not be met at once due to economic difficulties.
Governor Ododo assured that his administration would continue to accord necessary attention to the welfare of workers who serve as engine room of government, emphasizing that Pensioners will also be carried along as well.as education and youth and women empowerment among others.
“Our three state owned Universities are thriving and progressing steadily, and we are happy that they have met the necessary standards and will produce manpower that will compete favourably with their counterparts across the world and our assignment is to serve humanity”, the Governor stated.
The Governor also disclosed that government has been consistent in the release of one hundred and five million naira monthly as gratuity to local government retirees, this he said, was to keep his promises to the people.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Gabriel Amari expressed appreciation to the Governor for the much he has done so far, saying the organized Labour was grateful, but however urged the government to look critically into their demands with a view to giving workers more hope.
The State Head of Service, Doctor Elijah Evinemi in his speech, noted that the present administration has placed workers welfare at the front burner and urged workers to reciprocate the gesture by being dedicated to their duties.
In his speech, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour matters, Comrade Onuh Edoka said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was the first to approve and implement the new national minimum wage which has been acknowledged by the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in the Country.
Comrade Edoka commended the Governor for his courage at appointing labour leaders into key positions under his administration and assured that workers would reciprocate at the right time.
