Stop using consultants for civil service job, workers tell Kwara govt

The Kwara State council of the NLC yesterday called on the state government to stop using consultants in executing tasks that personnel in the civil service could render.

Alhaji Issa Ore, the state chairman of the NLC, made the call in his at the 2019 May Day celebration in Ilorin.

According to him, the civil service remains the engine room of government for the implementation of people oriented policies and programmes.

Ore noted the congress viewed the practice of engaging consultants in the state as a conduit pipe to siphon the state resources.

“We also urge the state government to provide the working tools and facilities that can make workers more effective and productive,”he said.

The NLC boss also appealed to the government to take urgent steps on how the moribund industries in the state would be resuscitated.

This, he said, would help in creation of jobs and economic growth.

“Also, the need to woo investors to harness natural resources of the state should be taken care off,” NLC chief said.

Ore, who is also the state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, assured workers that the NLC would not relent in its effort until the new wage was finally implemented and fully paid to all workers.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara pledged to implement the new wage as agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding with the labour union before the 2019 general elections.

He, however, explained that failure of the National Salary and Wage Commission to release the template and modalities for the payment was the only thing causing a delay.

Ahmed, who was represented by the state Head of Service, Modupe Oluwole, expressed delight with the workers for their dedication, commitment and loyalty.

The governor said all his engagements with the union were fruitful because they were based on genuine agitations.

He commended the labour union for the understanding, adding that his government implemented bold structural development in youth and empowerment.

According to him, the government also pursues sound fiscal policy that can facilitate empowerment and prompt payment of salaries and promotion.