Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants, pledging to continue creating a conducive environment for workers to thrive.

Speaking on Friday while receiving executives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State chapter, at Government House in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo described his administration as worker-friendly and assured that everything possible would be done to make workers in the state happy and productive.

The NLC delegation, led by Acting State Chairman Bernard Egwekhide, visited the governor to congratulate him on his recent victory at the governorship election petition tribunal, which upheld his win in the September 21, 2024 election.

“Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government,” Okpebholo said. “Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.”

He emphasized transparency and accountability in governance, stating that his administration welcomes constructive criticism as a tool for improved service delivery.

Okpebholo also credited the federal government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda for providing a framework that has empowered state governments to perform better, adding that his team is focused on practical, inclusive governance across all three senatorial districts of the state.

In his remarks, NLC chairman Egwekhide praised the governor for his prompt and proactive actions toward civil servants’ welfare. He highlighted several recent initiatives, including:

• The payment of a 13th-month salary to workers without union demands
• An increase in the subvention to Ambrose Alli University from N41 million to N500 million
• The regularisation of casual staff in the state civil service
• A massive increase in monthly payments to pensioners from N50 million to N1 billion

Egwekhide added that a committee has been formed to review the compulsory pension scheme, which he described as a source of hardship for many retired workers. The committee’s findings will be submitted to the governor for further action.

“We thank the governor for the numerous employment opportunities created in such a short time. Workers in Edo are proud of your developmental strides,” Egwekhide said.

In a separate development, Governor Okpebholo also received the newly appointed branch controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Edo State, Apanke Utande, who paid a courtesy visit to Government House.

The governor welcomed the CBN official and expressed his willingness to collaborate with the apex bank to enhance economic development and improve the standard of living for Edo residents.