By Gbenga Sodeinde
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ekiti state chapter has congratulated the Governor-Elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on his victory at the june 18 recently conducted gubernatorial election in the state.
As contained in the communique at the end of its meeting held on Thursday June 23, 2022, in Ado Ekiti and signed by the Chairman, Sola Adigun and the Secretary, Yomi Peters, the TUC also congratulated the entire Ekiti Indigenes (Home and Abroad) on the peaceful election.
Specifically, the SEC-in session in its communique made available to heritagenewsng.com congratulated the Governor-Elect, Biodun Oyebanji and his Deputy, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye wishing them a blissful tenure and urging them to ensure the total fulfilment of all their campaign promises.
The meeting also urged them to be magnanimous in victory while imploring those not favoured at the poll to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in the interest of Ekiti land.
The SEC-in-session equally commiserates with the families of those that lost their lives in the pre-election violence, particularly one of our affiliates (RTEAN) who lost one of her members to the unfortunate mayhem, prays God to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
However, the SEC-in-session which extensively deliberated on the state of affairs in Ekiti State most especially the polity and welfare of workers consequently resolved as follows: “the meeting frowned at the violent act and condemned it in strong terms, opined that no election or any event is worth the blood of any Ekiti Indigene or resident.
First of all, the TUC SEC-in-session commended the Ekiti state government for prompt payment of salary since the inception of this outgoing administration of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi.
However, the SEC reminds the Governor of his initial promise to offset all arrears payment before the expiration of the tenure.
“The SEC-in session noted with dismay, the inability/refusal of the government to remit the already deducted dues such as co-operative deductions, contributory pension (Jan. till date) Bank loans repayment, NHF fund, etc to the appropriate quarters thereby making life becoming unbearable for workers in the face of the present harsh economic realities.
“The SEC-in-session equally frowns seriously at the refusal of the Accountant-General of the State to continue with cooperative savings update of Ekiti workers, due to the alleged presence of some syndicate operating in her office.
“The meeting notes the fact that most members of TUC have not benefited from the new minimum wage after almost 2 years of implementation in the state, thus the SEC-in session calls on the government to implement the minimum wage across the board for all workers without further delay.
“The meeting also notes that the financial backing given the 2018 – 2019 promotion exercise was selectively implemented, hence calling on the government to ensure that others exempted should be immediately captured for financial remuneration.
“The SEC-in-session congratulates the outgoing Head of Service for her meritorious service and wishes her good health in retirement.
“The SEC hereby advises, the appointment the new Head Service and appointment of Permanent Secretary, General Manager, Executive Secretary issues of seniority, the spirit of Federal Character, and professionalism should be put into priority consideration to avoid demoralization of the Senior Civil Service.
“On Security: The SEC-in session reviewed the security situation in the nation, viz-a-viz the state and condemn the incessant kidnapping that is rearing its ugly head in the state in recent times, thereby urging the government and the security agencies to quickly rise to this challenge and nip it in the bud as Ekiti is noted to be a peaceful land.
“The SEC-in session also demands that the facilities in the health institution especially the teaching hospital be upgraded to meet up with the expected standard of best practices.
“Finally, the meeting demands that the government should set machinery in motion within the next 21 days to meet up with the above demands, failure of which industrial harmony will no longer be guaranteed”.