By Dupson Collins, 21 August, 2023
As the administration of Comrade Bola Taiwo, the State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ondo Council is winding down, the president said his numerous achievements in the last four years in office are unprecedented.
Speaking with the PATH at the NULGE House Akure, the president said he has delivered over 90 percent of his electioneering promises to the workers of local government across the state.
He said his major achievement in office is the relative peace and harmony among local government workers and leadership of the union while attributing the success so far recorded to Almighty God, cooperation and support of the past leaders and members of the union who believe in his capacity.
His words: ” When I was coming on board, I promised a lot of things. I promised Health Programne, Career Progression, Retirement Scheme and lot more. Immediately I took the mantle of leadership of the union, the first project I embarked on is the renovation of the Secretariat”.
On heath programme, Comrade Bola Taiwo established Clinics in all the 21 Local Governments and Boards, embark on Free medical test and Free Eyes glasses for members, built multi million Naira Modern Bakery, bought vehicles and renovation of vehicles of some local chapters of the Union.
” I believe whatever we eat determine our state of health; bromade is common among bread makers and the adverse effect is dangerous to our health. Aside the revenue generation of the Bakery, we established the Multi Million Naira Modern Bakery to take care of our Members’ breaad consumption which is free of bromade”.
The President added that his administration introduced Pension Scheme where members contribute money as retirement benefits. ” We have over N37 million in the Scheme account where members contribute according to his or her purse into the scheme which serve as retirement benefits to the contributors”.
He Commended the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for approving promotion of local government workers. ” On Absorption and conversions, there’s no state that is better than Ondo State in terms of workers promotion and welfare”.
” Our members have been collecting their letters of promotion for the 2023 and those that were promoted in 2022 have collected salaries. We must thank the Workers’ friendly governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for prioritizing the welfare of workers in the state. We encourage our workers to always pray for the governor because he is a wonderful man”.
“In terms of Absorption, 100 percent and conversions, every thing is going on smoothly. These were part of the promises we made and it has been fulfilled. The issue of signing of Cheque by the DGSA has been accomplished and they are signing cheques successfully, that is why there is peace everywhere. All these achievements are not by my power but power of God”.
Comrade Bola Taiwo noted that since assumption of office, financial assistance has been given to members with financial challenges. ” Every month, we give financial assistance to our members”.
He noted that four plots of land have been bought for incoming administration to build a standard hotel that will serve the NULGE RESORT CENTRE at Owode.
” When Comrade Bunmi Eniayewu was on Board, he built a Resort Centre at Owode, for more patronage, we need to build Hotel. So, we bought four plots of land there for incoming administration to build standard Hotel that we serve the Resort Centre”.
The President said the Union organised seminar for all Accountants in the state for enlightenment on the Federal Government established NFIU, saying Ondo State is one of the first States to approve its implementation.
” We organized a seminar for all the Accountants in the State to enlighten them on what NFIU is all about. We wrote to Mr Governor on the implementation of the NFIU and Governor Akeredolu graciously approved it without delay. Ondo State is one of the first states to comply with the NFIU”.
He added that the Union provided palliatives for junior workers during Covid-19 pandemic to cushion the effect of the hardship on the workers.
” During Covid -19, we bought beans for workers within level 1-8 to reduce the suffering. Aside this, we bought Hand Sanitizers, Face Masks for every staff of the local government”.
He disclosed that he will continue to pursue implementation of Level 17 for local government workers till his last day in office, saying Local Government Autonomy is the best if the Governors allow its passage at their respective State Assemblies.
