Ahead of November 6, Governorship election, the Anambra State Government has declared Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5 as work-free days.
This, the government said was to enable workers to prepare for the Anambra polls on Saturday.
Governor Willie Obiano made the declaration during his interactive session with Anambra State workers on Tuesday at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka.
Obiano said, “It is to enable you, the workers to travel to your various voting places ahead of the Nov. 6 elections.’’
During the event, Obiano recalled that his administration had fulfilled his 2014 Campaign promises to the workers and had improved the working condition of the civil service.
“Saturday, Nov. 6 is the election. I urge you to come out en masse to exercise your franchise. The State is safe in all ramifications. Cast your vote to continue enjoying the prompt payment of salary and other benefits.
“Soludo knows how to develop resources for the welfare of workers and he will do it even better,’’ Obiano said.
Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who is the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a candidate in the election described the civil servants as the engine of every administration and pledged to implement the lofty manifesto that he presented to Ndi Anambra that included the welfare of workers, promotion of education, health and youth productivity.
He said: “we will stand on the foundation already established by Governor Obiano to continue, complete, and consolidate on the achievements’’.
He emphasized that he would work collaboratively with the workers to further improve the condition of service.
He continued: “We cannot owe salary. It is your right. Workers are very important to every administration. Teachers have very important roles in my manifesto. Teachers are the foundation of any nation.
“The quality of teachers and quality of teaching will determine the future of every state,’’ Soludo stressed.
The Head of Service, Mr Harry Uduh commended Obiano for his prompt intervention in the challenges of the civil servants.
According to him the first point of call after his inauguration was to identify with civil servants. He has been prompt in payment of salaries, pension and gratuity and leaves allowances.’’
His administration engaged workers in training and retraining. He demonstrated his magnanimity several times in promoting workers welfare, he said.
The Chairman, Association of Pensioners State Printing Cooperation (Publishers of National Light Newspapers), chapter, Mr Anderson Ubani and the Managing Director, of the corporation Sir Chuka Nnabuife hailed the administration’s Intervention in making the newspaper to be pensionable in addition to other benefits to the workers.
Nnabuife said: “We will vote for APGA for what you have done for us at National Light Newspapers.
“Under your administration, we have won several awards,’’ he said.
A Nollywood veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu said at the occasion that he worshipped Soludo like an idol, adding that Soludo is the Solution to Anambra problems.
“The success of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration has been attributed to Soludo. He managed the economy of Nigeria and will consolidate the economy of Anambra State,’’ Agu said.
Obiano at the event, however, presented awards to some dedicated workers.
