Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has been commended for prioritising the welfare of civil and public servants and pensioners in the state by ensuring upward review of their welfare packages to meet existing realities.

A pro-development group, Esan Agenda, gave the commendation following the governor’s upward review of minimum wage to N40,000 and approval of immediate payment of harmonised pension.

A statement by the group’s convener, Mr. Akhere Obozele, said the governor had continued to prudently deploy state’s resources towards improving lives of Edo people and engendering economic development.

He said: “Edo workers were, again, filled with ecstasy of delight when on May 1, 2022, the ‘wake and see’ governor announced upward review of the Federal Government-approved minimum wage of N30,000 to N40,000 to cushion the effects of the country’s harsh economic realities on the workers.

“He also approved immediate payment of the harmonised pension from the end of this month. Edo is today the only state in Nigeria paying above Federal Government’s approved N30,000 minimum wage despite the little resources that accrue to the state.

“This is in addition to other efforts to improve the welfare of workers in the state, including the upward review of rates for Duty Tour Allowance and capacity building as well as in-service trainings being delivered through the John Odigie Oyegun Training Academy.”

Obozele also applauded the governor for providing the right environment and tools to deliver optimal services, including the reconstruction of office buildings.