No plan to sack Ondo workers, says Aiyedatiwa

Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured civil servants in the state that he will not downsize the workforce no matter the level of recruitment to fill vacant positions.

While emphasising that he is not contemplating such thought, Aiyedatiwa said that the steady defrayment of inherited gratuities will continue, as well as his administration’s support for the healthcare contributory scheme.

The governor disclosed this on Monday in Akure, Ondo State capital, during the Ondo State Public Service Week Celebration Lecture with the theme ‘Creating and Managing a Future-Ready Public Service: A Pathway to Sustainable Development.’

He said: “The gradual recruitment into critical sectors of the service to address acute personnel gaps will also continue as much as practicable. I want to assure you that even with the financial burden that all of these may attract, our administration will never ever contemplate downsizing the workforce.

“In all honesty, the public service requires to be rejigged and equipped to upscale its roles and processes to meet the trends of best world practices in public administration.

“The time has come, therefore, for the service to be more proactive, innovative, dynamic, and tech-driven. The capacity of the institutions and their operators must be enhanced for effective and efficient service delivery to justify the huge resources invested in it and to serve society better.

“I have no doubt in my mind, therefore, that this forum will come with great impartation for our public servants.”

Aiyedatiwa further assured the workers of the payment of the new minimum wage, starting in November.

On his part, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, appreciated the governor for his moral and physical support towards the welfare of public servants in the state as well as key appointments and the promotion of over five thousand and forty civil servants in the state.

Philip stressed the role of the public service in fostering forward-thinking governance and highlighted the administration’s commitment to regular salary payments, pensions, and the provision of 2024 leave bonuses.

The event featured awards of excellence to the University of Medical Science, Ondo, the State Civil Service Commission, and the state Contributory Health Insurance Scheme for outstanding performance.