By Johnkennedy Uzoma,Owerri
Workers in Imo State Civil Service on Monday joined their counterparts across the country to celebrate the 2023 May Day by throwing their weight behind Governor Hope Uzodinma for his second term reelection bid.
The State Chairman Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Imo State branch, Mr. Basil Iwu made the pronouncement during the Workers May Day held at Heroes Square, Concord Road Owerri, described Uzodinma as the most workers friendly Governor to rule the state.
The workers also backed their endorsement with a prestigious Award of Excellence to the Governor for selfless service to God and Humanity, which according to them, borders on the welfare of the pensioners.
While urging the Governor to remain firm and resolute in his determination to move the state forward, Iwu assured that workers would continue to reciprocate the government’s gesture through dedication and commitment to duty.
Addressing Imo workers, Governor Hope Uzodimma described his endorsement by the workers as the mother of all his endorsement in the state noting that to whom much is given, much is also expected”.
The Governor reiterated his resolution to promote the welfare be of birth serving and returned civil servants in the state through efficient and judicious management of available lean resources.
He noted that civil servants had globally become the engine room of Governent hence he had taken pains to sanitize and reinvigorate chiefly with the installation of biometric data capturing and automated systems to flush out the bed bug ghost workers syndrome ravaging the service.
He said: “Unfortunately, in doing so, some workers felt injured and inconvenienced and I apologize to such workers because I did not mean any harm.”
The Governor, who blamed some politicians in the state for the security challenges rocking the state, added that such desperate politicians see politics as do or die affairs, saying however, that power comes from God.
He enjoined the workers to always shun external interference in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, the state government inherited an accumulated unpaid gratuities and pension to the tune of N69 billion from 2007 and had gradual liquidation of the staggering debt.
While he pledged to sustain prominence to the welfare of the workers, Uzodimma disclosed that a Social Health Insurance Scheme would be flagged off in the next 2 days in the state to tackle cancer and other deadly diseases.
He said: “It is Good that is pulling Imo State and we should be patient in our efforts to correct the evils of the past. Previous administration rapped the state in various ways buy we are being prudent and careful in the management of our resources and I am ready to make Imo workers the best and the happiest in the country before I leave office”
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