By Agbongiasede Gloria Uhunoma and Edeniyere Abraham Osose
A poorly motivated workforce equals a workforce with subpar productivity and less disposed to performing their best.
Aristotle puts it this way, “pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work”. The civil service of a state is critical to the management of public expenditure and revenue and as such a dis-satisfied civil service will affect the smooth running of a state.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, understanding this phenomenon, has continued to prioritize the welfare of civil and public servants in the State. Since the advent of the Obaseki administration, Edo State Government has without fail, paid workers in the State on or before the 26th day of every month.
With the current socio-economic challenges ranging from inflation to slow economic growth, living in Nigeria has never been more expensive. The Edo State Government through its prompt payment of salaries in the midst of scarce resources, has cushioned the economic blow of the current hardship on its workforce. The domino effect of prompt payment of salaries to public servants in the State has also impacted residents in the State positively, through regular and circular flow of income.
While many states in the federation are owing workers months of unpaid salaries, and some still find it difficult to implement the N30,000 minimum wage, Governor Obaseki in May 2022, increased salaries of civil and public servants in the State by 33.3 percent, resulting in an increment of the State’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N40,000. The implementation of the new salary structure in the State commenced in the same month of May 2022. Edo’s retirees are not left out, as the Edo State Government has also harmonized pensions in the State and payment has already begun.
These various economic mitigation strategies being rolled out by the Edo State Government for its workforce has led to a significant improvement in the standard of living and overall wellbeing of civil and public servants in Edo State.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Godfrey Osejele, a civil servant in Edo State, expressed his joy and appreciation for the consistency of salaries in the State since Governor Obaseki assumed office.
According to Osejele, “for almost six years now, I have not had any reason to doubt or have any form of heartbreaks when the month is coming to an end, as I receive my salary as and when due. I have never been owed by this present Government”. Osejele noted that the regular payment of salaries has helped him greatly in planning his finances and spending.
With the increase in income, public servants in Edo State are better able to afford bare necessities, live healthier and invariably more effective and efficient on their jobs, as some researches have attested to the relationship between increase in income, job efficiency and good health.
The Obaseki administration is poised to make Edo great again and is not faltering in its steps towards achieving that as he has promised to continue to channel state’s resources into improving the lives of the people of Edo State.
