Lagos workforce hits 98,524, as Sanwo-Olu vows to improve workers’ welfare
…Approves 100 percent increment in housing loans
By Sodiq Adelakun
Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro on Tuesday revealed that the workforce of the state stands at 98,524 including the local government staff, saying the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is poised to better their lots through various welfare packages.
Agoro made this known at the press briefing to mark the first year of the second term in office of Governor Sanwo-Olu at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
He also stated that the Governor had approved 100 percent upward review staff housing loans entitlement to various categories of the workers.
The categories show GL. 1-4 N400,000 to N800,000; GL. 5-8 – N600,000 to N1,200,000; GL. 9-14 – N800,000 to N1,600,000; GL. 15-17 – N1,000,000 to N2,000,000.
The Car refurbishment loan was also reviewed and its implementation had commenced as highlighted thus, GL. 1-6 – N30,000 to N100,000; GL. 7-13 – N70,000 to N250,000; GL. 14-17 – N100,000 to N500,000.
The Head of Service explained that the Bill to this effect had been passed by the State House of Assembly but awaiting the assent of the Governor.
Recall that the Staff Housing & Loans Board was established in 1976 primarily to cater for the ever-increasing demand for Government Staff Quarters by providing decent and affordable housing units to Public Servants.
Agoro said, Approval for the 100 percent upward review of Staff Housing Loans entitlement to various categories of Public Servants to enable them purchase parcels of land/ renovate existing ones. This bill has been passed by the House of Assembly awaiting the final assent of Mr. Governor.
Agoro noted, “During the period under review, 3,857 newly recruited officers in various cadres were uploaded into the Oracle database and thereafter deployed to relevant MDASs where their services would be highly. The Lagos workforce stands at 98,524, local government staff inclusive.
“I am privileged to inform you of the magnanimity of Mr. Governor, who upon his re-election in May, 2023 increased the Yearly Subvention for Housing Loan Facility from N100,000,000 to a N1,000,000,000.
“In the same vein, Mr. Governor also increased the Yearly Subvention for the Car Refurbishment Loan Facility to enable members of Staff maintain their personal vehicles from N100,000,000 to N1,000,000,000.”
Agoro further disclosed, “Kindly permit me to also acquaint you with the monumental strides of Mr. Governor via his gracious approval for the 100 percent upward review of Staff Housing Loans entitlement to various categories of Public Servants to enable them purchase parcels of land/ renovate existing ones. This bill has been passed by the House of Assembly awaiting the final assent of Mr. Governor.”
“Other laudable intervention programmes put in place by Mr. Governor during the period under review include, implementation of the N35,000 Wage Award for Public Servants with effect from December 2023.
“Re-implementation of 25 percent Basic Salary Incentives for Core Establishment Agencies; Implementation of Work Time Flexibility which allows Civil Servants on Grade Levels 01-14 to work from home twice in a week, while those on Grade Levels 15-17 are allowed once a week with effect from 28th February, 2024.
“Implementation of 40 percent Rebate on Statutory Fees payable to Lagos State Government by Public Servants on Applications for Physical Planning Permit; Allocation of Government Housing Schemes and Land Allocation in the State Government Schemes.
“Payment of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service arrears on consequential adjustment; Payment of Consequential Adjustment in Pensions arising from the implementation of the National Minimum Wage of 2019 for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme in the Lagos State Public Service with effect from January, 2024.”
