- The newly recruited cleaners have been deployed to various ministries and parastatals to strengthen the workforce
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the employment of 360 citizens from the three senatorial districts into the civil service.
In a statement released on Friday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, it was revealed that the newly recruited cleaners have been deployed to various ministries and parastatals to strengthen the workforce.
The State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed this in his office in Benin City while briefing the press on the steps taken by the Okpebholo-led administration to embark on people-centred initiatives.
Okungbowa explained that the previous administration relied on contractors and consultants to manage cleaning services, which left workers vulnerable to job insecurity and low pay.
He noted that those employed by the present administration would receive the N70,000 minimum wage paid to all Edo State workers, demonstrating the Okpebholo administration’s commitment to delivering good governance across all sectors.
“Recently, Governor Monday Okpebholo directed that cleaners be employed directly into the state civil service, as opposed to using consultants and contractors,” Okungbowa said.
“These consultants and contractors were paid to employ cleaners to clean government offices, but the cleaners’ take-home pay was not encouraging and could not sustain them.”
Okungbowa added, “Governor Okpebholo was not pleased with the arrangement under the Obaseki administration and instructed that direct employment be implemented to ensure Edo people were recruited into the state civil and public service, with the assurance of receiving the N70,000 minimum wage.”
He continued, “Previously, cleaners in the state were paid between N20,000 and N30,000. They were underpaid because consultants, who are businesses aiming to make a profit, were involved. The Okpebholo administration decided to change the narrative by providing direct employment to improve the lives of the people and ensure they experience practical governance.”
The Head of Service said the current administration has successfully employed 360 Edo citizens across the three senatorial districts through direct employment, making them civil and public servants of Edo State.
“The cleaners have been given appointment letters and are spread across the three senatorial districts of the state,” he said.
“This is not the final batch of cleaners to be employed by the Edo State government, as more recruits will be hired. We aim to employ the required number of cleaners for government offices. The current batch of 360 cleaners has been deployed to various government ministries and parastatals.”
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