Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state on Wednesday flagged-off implementation of a N500 million revolving loans scheme for civil servants in the state, as part of the 2024 May Day celebration at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna
The governor, while symbolically presenting the loans dummy cheques to some of the workers at the May Day celebration amidst cheers, said more economic empowerment initiatives will be unfolded for workers in the state.
He assured the labour unions that, Kaduna state government under his leadership will continue to prioritize workers’ welfare and provide them with available resources, to ensure a committed and motivated workforce, which will help him achieve his rural transformation agenda.
Speaking to the theme of the 2024 May Day celebration, “People First”, Governor Sani said, development and governance is 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 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.
“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. Nigeria Governors Forum are in consultation with the labour unions at the federal and state levels to come up with a decent and acceptable salary increase for state and local government workers,” Sani said.
Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kaduna state chapter, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, commended Governor 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.
He commended the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, as well as involving the labour unions in decision making in the state.
The NLC Chairman expressed hope that workers will enjoy favourable working condition throughout Uba Sani’s tenure.
