The Kwara State Government has put in place interim measures to ease the situation in response to the recent increase in transportation costs and the financial burden that follows for public employees. Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak has ordered a reduction in the number of workdays for all state employees from five to three each week, according to the State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole, who made the announcement on Monday.
The decision, intended to lessen the difficulties brought on by the Federal Government’s suspension of fuel subsidies, was communicated through a statement signed by Murtala Atoyebi, the Chief Press Secretary in the HOS office.
Mrs. Oluwole emphasized that the purpose of this measure is to provide relief to the workers who have been grappling with the skyrocketing cost of transportation. By reducing the number of work days, the government aims to ease the financial burden on employees and help them cope with the increased transport expenses resulting from the fuel subsidy removal.
To ensure effective implementation, the Head of Service instructed all Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to promptly devise a format indicating the alternating work days for each employee under their purview. This arrangement will enable a smooth transition to the new schedule and ensure that all workers are aware of their designated work days.
While the government has shown compassion towards the workers, Mrs. Oluwole cautioned against abusing the governor’s generosity. She stressed that the Head of Service’s office would intensify its monitoring of MDAs to ensure strict compliance with the new directive. The government expects employees to adhere to the revised work schedule diligently and demonstrate professionalism in their duties.
The temporary reduction in work days is seen as a proactive step by the Kwara State Government to address the immediate financial challenges faced by public workers. By implementing this measure, the government aims to provide relief and support its employees during this period of increased transportation costs. The effectiveness of these temporary measures will be closely monitored to assess their impact and determine any further necessary actions to alleviate the burden on the workers.