By Ahmed Ahmed
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Bauchi State Chapter has urged the government to make farm inputs available for workers to improve food security in the state.
Comrade Dauda Shehu, State Chairman of NLC made the call during the celebration of this year’s International Workers Day held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi on Wednesday.
He said this farming season there is a need for the state government to provide fertilizer and farm inputs at the early stage of the farming season as a sign of commitment and support to the workers to improve food security.
“We are therefore, appealing that this
This year, the same gesture should also be given accelerated attention to enable farmers, workers and citizens to get access to the materials at affordable rates.
“Agriculture and food security is number one stabilizer of the economy of the State and the Nation through provision of jobs and food for the common man,”
Shuaibu also calls for the disengagement of consultants handling the payment of workers salaries in the state.
“ It is our candid view that they are doing more harm than good to the system. The majority of workers are not happy with the way they operate,” he said.
In a remark, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed said his administration will do everything possible to make sure that Civil Service in the State remains vibrant and result oriented for seamless delivery of dividends of Democracy to the good people of the state.
He reassured that no stone would be left unturned in the administration’s resolve to reposition the civil service and thereby restore its lost glory.
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, Governor Bala Mohammed believed that Bauchi is one of the best among the 36 States in the country in terms of support to civil service.
He pledged to continue to extend hands to the civil servants as he has been doing, and explained that the recent provision of Wage Award and restoration of the payment of Annual Leave Grant to Civil Servants is a deliberate attempt at providing succor to Civil Servants.
He noted that it is a commendable decision by the International Labour Organization to single out workers day to celebrate workers’ contributions to world growth and development, saying that, as major stakeholders in the Nigerian Project, workers have the responsibility of striving to salvage the socio-economic and political fortune of the country.
“I am very pleased to be part of another annual celebration of the International Workers Day also known as “MAY DAY”. This day is specifically set aside to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of workers to the socio-economic development of the country.
“As the May Day is celebrated, workers in both the public and Private Sectors have the opportunity to reflect on their performances and see how much they have contributed to the development of their fatherland
The Governor told the workers that since the inception of his Administration, measures have been put in place to stabilize salaries and pensions payment with a view to have credible nominal roll that will reliably drive the payroll, block leakages, improve cash flow management and cut unnecessary spending.
“We have in the last few months introduced a Service Charter contract to be executed between the State Government on the one hand and the civil servant on the other hand.
“That informed our decision to promote the best hands within the service to the position of Permanent Secretaries in strict compliance with State Character, so that all can be carried on board,”he said.
Mohammed therefore congratulated the State labor leadership and the entire workforce for their cooperation and understanding which have ensured industrial harmony in the State.