You’ll win second term, Ekiti workers tell Fayemi

Workers in Ekiti State on Wednesday marked the 2013 Workers Day
without the traditional march past, just as the Trade Union Congress
predicted a second term victory for Governor Kayode Fayemi in the 2014
governorship election based on what it called his “laudable
achievements” since assuming office.
The state TUC Chairman, Kolawole Olaiya, made the declaration in his
address to workers at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, venue of the
celebration, just as Fayemi advised any civil servant interested in
politics to opt out of public service and declare his intention rather
than compromising what he called “the hallowed position of trust”.
Expressing dismay at the unabated participation of certain categories
of workers in politics, Fayemi warned that such workers shall be held
accountable for their actions within the framework of existing
regulations in the civil service.
The decision of the workers to skip the parade, which is an important
aspect of the Workers Day celebration, was in honour of the late
Deputy Governor of the state, Funmilayo Olayinka, who was buried last
weekend.
The TUC chair stressed that the achievements of the Fayemi
administration in the state are unprecedented.
He pointed out that Fayemi’s regular payment of salaries, payment of
minimum wage, restoration of vehicle, housing and other related loans
will win him re-election in the 2014 poll.
Olaiya said the TUC has identified many achievements recorded since
Fayemi came to power, which included the Social Security Scheme for
the aged, purchase and distribution of laptops to teachers and pupils
in public schools and renovation of dilapidated public schools.
The TUC boss also identified free health services, reconstruction of
Ikogosi Warm Spring to a world class tourist centre, construction of
5-kilometre roads in the 16 council areas and merit-based appointment
of permanent secretaries as achievements capable of securing the
second term for Fayemi.
Olaiya said: “Reconstruction, rehabilitation and beautification of the
state capital, Ado-Ekiti and construction of many roads in the state
is highly appreciated.
“The ongoing electrification of Ado township is highly commendable,
you can walk and drive at night without putting on headlamp and
whereas it was not so before.
“The list of the governor’s achievements within his two years in
office is endless but time would not permit us to mention them in full
details.
“The people are to take the stock one after the other and this is the
basis of democracy. With the ones mentioned above and some others,
Governor Fayemi will win election for his second term in office as the
Governor of Ekiti State.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayodeji Aluko, praised
the job creation scheme of the Fayemi administration, which has helped
reduce the involvement of youths in criminal activities.
Aluko also appreciated the governor for approving the promotion and
advancement of eligible officers recently carried out in the state
civil service.
While thanking Fayemi for the regular payment of workers’ salaries and
improvement in the e-payment system, the NLC chief expressed hope that
the 2012 and 2013 promotions will be carried out before the end of
this year.
The governor, in his address, also expressed the commitment of his
administration to the restoration of the Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance
as soon as it is possible for the state’s lean resources to
accommodate it.
Identifying insecurity and corruption as the two biggest challenges
facing the nation, Fayemi charged the workers to join hands with the
government to stamp out the plagues.
Fayemi maintained that the struggle to liberate Nigeria from the
scourge of corruption is a struggle for all irrespective of sex, age,
status and political inclination.
He faulted the nation’s criminal justice system, which favours the
elite against the downtrodden, arguing that looters at the federal and
state levels must suffer the commensurate punishments whether they are
political office holders or career civil servants.
Describing security as the business of everybody, Fayemi urged
organized labour and indeed entire workers to cooperate with the
government and security agencies to ensure that the peace being
enjoyed in the state is not disrupted.
The governor restated the commitment of his administration towards
training and capacity building of workers, including those of the
organized labour both locally and internationally.