From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos
The Lagos state government has reassured workers of its commitment to timely payment of salaries and pensions which has been a remarkable attribute of the present administration.
The Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola, Benson Oke, who gave the assurance in commemoration Workers May Day celebration, said that it is well known, that every 1st of May, Nigerian workers join working people all over the World to celebrate May Day, otherwise called, Workers’ Day. This year, organized labour in Nigeria chose the theme, “Another 100 Years of Jobs, Dignity and Social justice in Nigeria.” Lagos State fully identify with organized labour and I am confident that the movement will continue to be champions of jobs, dignity and social justice for the foreseeable future.
Oke noted that as the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode undoubtedly demonstrated in his speech on Worker’s Day, the State through the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions worked closely with union leaders in a way that has never been experimented with before, such that we had the advantage of directly feeling the pulse of workers on all major issues.
It has indeed been a pleasure to serve the workers of the State under the leadership of the Governor.
According to him, the struggles of the labour movement in Nigeria in times past have indeed been notable and commendable, adding , “On our part, we laboured all through our stewardship at the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions to preserve and elevate the jobs in the Lagos State Public Service by embarking on, and implementing, an extensive training programme for the officers of the service. Other agencies of the Lagos State Government implemented policies that resulted in the creation of jobs for the youths in our state.
The Commissioner stated that the State under Governor Ambode did a lot in appreciation of the importance of jobs at the social and macro-economic levels. We believe that the top priority of government has to be the stimulation of jobs and growth. This is because jobs are central to economic growth and political stability.
As long as people are busy with their work and are able to provide for themselves, their morale is high, and things are stable.
Jobs create earnings, which creates demand, which in turn creates production and investment and hence more jobs.
It is a virtuous cycle. It does make sense to build random infrastructure even if just to employ people. It may not make sense in isolation but at the macro level it makes a lot of sense.
