Ahead of the November 6, Anambra State governorship election, the state government has declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays.
Governor Willie Obiano made the declaration at an interactive session with civil servants at the Udorji Secretariat, Awka. Gov. Obiano while making the declaration said the public holidays was to enable workers travel to their various voting places ahead of Saturday’s election.
Gov. Obiano informed the civil servants that his administration had fulfilled its campaign promises to the workers and had improved the working conditions of civil servants.
“Saturday 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 salaries and other benefits. “Soludo knows how to develop resources for the welfare of workers. Soludo will do his best,” Gov. Obiano said.
On his part, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Charles Soludo, described civil servants as the engine room of every administration.
He promised to implement his manifesto presented to Ndi Anambra which include the welfare of workers, promotion of education, health, and youth productivity, among others.
He said that “we will stand on the foundation already established by Governor Obiano, to continue, complete and consolidate on the achievements.”
The APGA candidate emphasized that he would work in collaboration with the workers to further improve on their condition of service.
“We cannot owe salaries, it is your right. Workers are very important in every administration. Teachers have a very important role 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 added. Speaking, the Head of Service, Harry Uduh commended Obiano for his prompt intervention to the challenges of civil servants in the state.
“The first point of call after his inauguration was to identify with civil servants. He has been prompt in the payment of salaries, pension and gratuity, leave allowance, amongst other benefits, including distribution of bags of rice.
“Governor Obiano has engaged in the training and retraining of workers. He has demonstrated his magnanimity severally in promoting workers welfare,” Uduh stated.