Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State says, his administration will continue to accord priority to the health workers and labour leaders across state and assured them that, workers’ welfare and improve healthcare services would be consider across the state.
The Governor made this declaration during his speech at the First Health Workers Convention held in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
He said that upon assumption of office, he was determined to address the challenge of unemployment among young graduates despite existing restrictions on recruitment, resulting in the employment of 5,166 workers across the core civil service, health and education sectors.
Governor Idris also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the prompt payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements, stressing that prudent financial management had enabled the government to sustain its obligations to workers.
He said his administration had also implemented the minimum wage structure in consultation with labour leaders, with the aim of ensuring fairness and protecting workers’ interests.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Ismaila Yakubu Augie, highlighted some of the achievements recorded in the health sector, including the renovation of 25 General Hospitals and about 173 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state.
He said the government had also recruited and absorbed health personnel, including nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists and pharmacists, while several casual workers had been transferred to the formal payroll.
The Commissioner added that the renovated health facilities had been equipped with medicines, ambulances and other essential medical equipment to improve access to quality healthcare services.
He noted that the state government had invested about N2 billion in ambulances and had taken measures to bridge the gap in the welfare of state-employed doctors, thereby helping to reduce the movement of medical professionals from the state to federal institutions.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Murtala Usman, in his vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to Governor Idris for attending the convention and for his continued partnership with organised labour.
He commended the administration for its commitment to workers’ welfare and prayed for continued peace, progress and success in Kebbi State.
The health workers, comprising members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and Medical Laboratory Scientists, reaffirmed their support for the administration and expressed confidence in the Governor’s healthcare reforms.
They also presented a progress report on grassroots healthcare mobilisation, including support provided to 2,500 pregnant women, and pledged continued cooperation with the government in advancing healthcare delivery across Kebbi State.
COV SANI DUTSINMA
