By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The newly elected Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Kaduna State chapter, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman has commended Governor Nasir El-rufai for placing healthcare services among priority goals in the state.
He made the commendation during the occasion of the Worker’s Day Celebration in Kaduna on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
According to him, Kaduna citizens are all witnesses to the rapid renovation of health facilities and improvement in the supply of drugs and medicals to the facilities through the revolutionized Kaduna State Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency (KADSHMA).
He opines that as laudable as these developments are, the best results would only come out of them if the human development aspect is given the necessary consideration.
While saying that the welfare of Kaduna workers is paramount to the Labour movement, he recommended further for: implementation of health personnel to the Primary Healthcare Facilities which according to him, he was informed has been approved by the Governor.
“There is need to add more health workers for the secondary health facilities, more so that the number recruited last time has dwindled either due to non-acceptance of the offer, leaving the service for greener pasture or death.
“Implementation of 100 per cent Consolidated Health Salary Structure,(CONHESS), as enjoyed by our colleagues in the Federal service and most States of the Federation will help to attract as well as retain the existing manpower,” he added.
The Labour leader who also commended the Federal and State Government on their efforts to diversify the economy through the development of the Agricultural sector said that the effort has already started yielding results with the coming of investors like Olams.
He also spoke on the security challenges especially along the Kaduna – Abuja road, Birnin Gwari and Kajuru which he said have posed serious threat to the safety of the workers and businesses as well as the citizenry.
He urged the government and other stakeholders to redouble their efforts in addressing the security challenges.
Also speaking, Chairman Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC), Kaduna State Council, Comrade Shehu Mohammed said the May Day Celebration is an opportunity to x–ray the contribution of the working class to national development.
According to him, the day provides a space to review the condition of service, in order to be in line with the complex process of national development and the rate of unemployment which has remained high with an alarming proportion of youth joblessness.