Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday presented Long Service Awards to 400 staff of the Unified Local Government Service of the State at Alausa, Ikeja.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ambode said his desire to give employees at the LGAs a prime place in the public service informed the constitution of a committee to review the local government administrative guidelines and advise on reforms that would enhance service delivery capacity in line with the vision of making the state cleaner, secure and conducive for people to live in and transact their businesses.

Governor Ambode, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Establishment, Dr. Akintola Benson-Oke, said that, his administration appreciates the contribution of the grassroots in the process of democratic governance, stressing that, the entire staff of the Unified Local Government Service is the conduit by which the State Government connects with the people, especially people in the rural areas and riverside communities.

The Governor congratulated the 400 recipients of the Long Service Award who have spent over 30 years in the State Local Government Service assuring them that the present administration in the state has put necessary machineries in place to cater for them after retirement.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Establishments Training and Pensions Office, Mrs. Folasade Adesoye, said the Long Service Award was one the measures put in place by the State Government to appreciate the contribution of civil servants who had contributed their quota to the development of Local Government Areas and the state in general.

She said that, the present administration places value on the welfare of its staff, both retired and serving and had recently approved the payment of another N1.9 billion for another batch of 298 retirees in the State Public Service in addition to those earlier paid when he assumed office six months ago as well as the payment of 25% Christmas bonus to its staff.

She called on the entire workforce to reciprocate the gesture of government with hard work and renewed dedication in the coming year by ensuring that all revenue payable to government is promptly remitted so that Lagosians will continue to enjoy quality services in spite of the dwindling revenue from the federal allocation which cannot be relied upon for meaningful development.

The Chairman of the Board of Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Babatunde Rotinwa, advised awardees due for retirement soon, to pay optimal attention to their health and make investment only where their capital will be insured and guaranteed.

The State Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, in her goodwill message, expressed the belief that, the yearly award recognition would in no small measure serve as a morale booster for younger officers in the public service to continue to contribute their quota to the service of humanity and the State Government.

She enjoined the awardees not to rest on their oars but continue in the pursuit of excellence, loyalty and good conduct which will in turn affect their individual businesses or engagements after retirement.

•Photo shows Governor Ambode.