By ABIODUN LAWAL

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Wednesday in Abeokuta approved two days as off-duty days weekly for officers on Grade Level (GL) 01 to 14 in the state government’s employment.

The State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, in a statement said officers on GL 15 to 17 were however to maintain the weekly one-day off-duty arrangement in place earlier.

“The gesture is aimed at further easing the burden on the teeming workers who now face more significant challenges commuting to work.

“It is also expected to translate to substantial relief while also enhancing service delivery through a more motivated and energised workforce,” he said.

Onasanya described Gov. Abiodun as highly committed to the welfare of workers.

He pointed out that the current extension to two days of off-work for grade level 01 to 14 staff would further reduce the financial burden on workers and increase productivity.

Onasanya then urged all accounting officers to immediately implement the policy in their respective ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) by working out the modalities.

“This is to ensure that the off-day system is scheduled in such a way that service delivery is not compromised,” the Head of Service said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Abiodun had in July 2023 introduced the one day off work policy for all grade levels.

Also on Wednesday, Gov. Abiodun stated that his administration was working towards implementing the new minimum wage.

The governor, while speaking during a meeting with the leadership of Organised Labour, noted that workers had been instrumental in the rapid economic growth the state was witnessing.

He promised the union leaders that Ogun would not take second place in the implementation of the new minimum wage.

 â€œOn the new minimum wage, all hands are on deck working assiduously, and I am sure that, as always, we will not be number two in the implementation of the minimum wage.

“I have told my team that we should roll up our sleeves. We should work as hard as we can without putting undue pressure on our people.

“We should be creative, more efficient, block loopholes, and increase our revenue so that we can afford to pay the new minimum wage comfortably,” Gov. Abiodun said.

He however pleaded for continued partnership with Organised Labour, emphasising that cooperation with it had led to economic prosperity.

The governor said the state’s annual budget had increased from less than N400 billion at the inception of the administration to the current N703 billion, with performance at 80 per cent.

He disclosed that his administration was looking at presenting a budget of a trillion Naira for next year’s appropriation.

Abiodun said he initiated the meeting as part of efforts to engage stakeholders and find solutions to the current situation caused by the fuel subsidy removal.

Also speaking at the meeting, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hameed Benco, appreciated the governor for always making Organised Labour part of his decision-making process.

Benco however emphasised the need to enforce price regulation as market men and women had taken advantage of the current economic situation to exploit the people.

He also called for a special arrangement to convey workers and students in primary and secondary schools to their offices and schools respectively, saying it would help mitigate the hardship.

Contributing also, the State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Lasisi, advocated for workers operating from their homes until the situation improved. (NAN)