Eid-el-Kabir celebration: Edo government pays August salary  

Barely few days to the Eid-el Kabir celebrations by Muslims across the country, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has ordered the immediate payment of workers’ August salaries ahead of the usual period.

Obaseki gave the order during the second anniversary thanksgiving of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Christian Prayer/Contact Committee, held at Government House in Benin City, on Friday.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., said: “We cannot be sharing the money for the development of the state and still be able to meet up with our electoral promises to the people. Our focus is on the people, to develop the state and make life better for everyone.”

The governor also attributed that the progress being recorded in the state is as a result of the people-centric governance model adopted by his administration, lees than two years in office.

He noted that the focus of his team is the wellbeing of Edo people and residents and not a few individuals, while he explained that the payment of August salary on the 17th day of the month, was the result of the prudent and sound management of the state’s resources.

Adding that it has prioritised a robust reserve, grown over time, despite the massive investment in infrastructure and other critical sectors of the state.

He maintained that his administration has done well by fulfilling some of the promises he made during the electioneering campaign, such as the restoration of law and order, strengthening of critical institutions of government, creation of jobs and provision of infrastructure.

He added that pensioners no longer protest over delayed payment of their entitlements as they are now paid, as and when due, while the civil servants receive their credit alerts, on the 26th of every month.

He recalls that in June, the state governor released funds to the local government councils to settle workers’ salaries following the stand-off between the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and the state governments, which resulted in the delay in salary payments in other states of the country.    

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Religious Matters, and Chairman, APC Prayer/Contact Committee, Edo State, Pastor Eghosa Omoruyi, said that governor Obaseki is a blessing from God, to Edo people and residents, as he has touched the lives of many people in the state.

“This is just the second year and as a state we have experienced good governance with landmark achievements in critical sectors of the state, and it can only get better,” Omoruyi said.

Also, the General Overseer of Covenant Ministry International, Imo State, Bishop Chukwu Anayo, who also participated in the thanksgiving service, said the governor has made the state peaceful for people of various religious convictions to worship God.

“Prayer is very helpful, and you can see the impact as the governor has achieved huge developmental strides and the people are benefiting from his leadership style” Bishop Anayo added.