*LG Service Commission Holds Parley with the Union Leaders; Promises Better Welfare*

The Board of the Local Government Service Commission headed by Hajia Adebayo Nike Sarat in their quest to finding lasting solutions to the various challenges confronting the LG organized a meeting with the various staff unions under the commission. The meeting was well attended by the leaders of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Medical and Health Union of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Kwara State Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria.

The union leaders sang a solidarity song for the Chairman, LG Service Commission, Hajia Adebayo Nike Sarat and other members of the Board in recognition of her participatory role as one of them. This was immediately after the opening prayer by Comrade Ibrahim Fatai Agboola Balogun aka Mr. FAB which was followed by the general introduction.

The Permanent Secretary of the Commission in his opening remark eulogised the Executive Chairman LG Service Commission. She referred to her as a Comrade who associates herself with the union activities and as a woman who has deep passion for the Labour Unions.

The Executive Chairman, started her address with a solidarity song and sounded very elated to associate with the Labour Union (NULGE).

The meeting we basically centred on ways for the Commission to collaborate, sensitize, cooperate and to form a synergy with the Labour Unions for the success of the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed led administration.

"The Labour Union is a factor to reckon with for the success of any administration", she added.

The Chairman also took time to explained the State of things at the Commission and the level of things in the State.

While talking about the reforms mapped out by her Commission, Hajia Sarat said: "I share in your plight because we are one big family. We want to work with you on how to move the LG forward for the benefit of all and to regain the known integrity of the LG."

She urged the Union Leaders to exhibit professionalism that will enhance productivity at the Local Government.

"It is a pity the economy recession has bitten harder and more felt at the local government areas but very soon we shall get out of this. It is temporary and not permanent. The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised to do more to assist the local government to give it more life."

She noted that the union and the workforce remain a very strong body and even the engine room of any government.

She urged the local government workers through their Labour Union Leaders on Lateness, absenteeism, and on the need to change for better to add more value and move the State forward for the benefit of our unborn children.

The Chairman of the Commission, Hajia Sarat, promised better welfarism for the Local Government workers, and advised the Labour Leaders the need to talk to other members of the LG workforce to be up and doing.

On training, she was optimistic that things will get better soon and necessary training and retraining will be made available to staffers.

On promotion, she assured that the Local Government 2016 promotion letters will be out next week and 2017 promotion exercise will start soonest.

At the meeting, she dwelled extensively on the need for the autonomy of the LG to improve the quality of governance as the third tier of government. This, she said, was in line with the political will of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to pave way for legislation for easy passage of the bill.

She however, noted that the Commission shall embark on familiarization tour very soon to the local government councils. She therefore, charged the Union Leaders to monitor their followers to enhance more productivity.

Hajia Sarat commended the retirees and pensioners for their understanding and selfless services they have rendered to the state and shared in their plights. She assured that their coming onboard will surely change things for the better for all.

LG Desk Officers in charge of the Pensioners were charged to improve on their work or get replaced to cater for the yearning of the Senior Citizens.

On retirement, she urged that the list of intending retirees for each year should be submitted not later than February of that same year for onward processing. She disclosed that there shall be seminars and conferences for the intending retirees to guide them on life after service.

In her speech, Hajia Sarat appreciated the Political Leader of Kwara State, the Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Advocacy for Better Society - ABS) and the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed (Sai Maigida) for being gender friendly Leaders. It was noted that her appointment as Chairman of the Commission marked the first of it kind for a woman to head such position in Kwara State.

Hajia Sarat appreciated the union leaders for honouring the call and banked on the hope that they will give her the necessary support to move the LG councils forward in discharging both the community and social services to the people.

She sought for their cooperation, advice, support, as her seat remains a temporary one but any mark left will definitely remain indelible.

She urged the different unions to be united in their plans and actions to always achieve the desired results.

The Chairman NANAM, Kwara State Chapter, called for a repeat of this meeting from time to time.

One of the NULGE executives called for the extension of beneficiary of the training to cover also the staffers between levels 1 - 7.
Also called for the recalculation of training fund from monthly allocation at the JAAC meeting. There were deliberations on the house loan and the National Housing Fund for the LG workers.

The Union Leaders commended Governor Ahmed on the regular promotion of the LG workers and urge the government to sustain it. They equally called for more enabling environment for the workers, while joined the retirees in their plight, called on Governor Ahmed to look their side and stop the dichotomy between them and their counterparts in the State level.

The union leaders called on the government to put the Pensioners as the First Class citizens in the work force of the state and the LG. The call became necessary because the Pension House remains the final abode to all serving workers of both the State and the the ones in the LGA. Saying, "Rest is Sweet after Labour."

In all, the union leaders assured the Commission of their support and cooperation.

Alhaji S. A. Ahmed Former DPM of Ilorin West, described the Executive Chairman, Hajia Sarat as an intelligent, hardworking, gallant, tough and strong woman of many virtues whom she has worked with for many years at the LG before his retirement many years back. He prayed to God Almighty to strengthen, guide and protect Hajia Sarat in her new assignment as the Executive Chairman of the LG Service Commission.

The Chairman while reacting to the various points raised by the union leaders, noted that a committee will be set up including one representative each from the LG unions to look into the problem of Insurance and National Housing Fund of the LG.

Hajia Risikat Abdullah, the Permanent Commissioner Member l, of the LG Service Commission, assured the union leaders and the entire LG workers that things will improve with their new Board at the Commission.

Sarat remains the first woman ever to head the LG Service Commission in Kwara State.

The Permanent Secretary in his votes of thanks appreciated the Executive Chairman and the cooperation of the Union Leaders. He described Hajia Sarat led Board in the Commission as the best he has ever worked with in his entire career.
He, therefore, called for a special prayers for the Chairman and her other Board Members to succeed in their given assignment at the LG Service Commission.