Nigerians today mark another moment of rest from their call of duties as the government observes the first day in May as “WORKERS DAY “. Though is a one-day joyous holiday for all government workers of all tiers, it is expected of the government to put smiles on the faces of the workers since history has made it a remarkable and unforgettable day in their lives. A few hours before the Celebration Day, the Federal government announced a new consolidated salary increase in a few sectors to simply get the workers to feel connected with its promised ” renewed hope agenda and vision 2024″ under the leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. I commend the government to have extended this show of concern in terms of gradually improving the salary conditions of workers but speedier efforts are urgently needed not only to ensure workers’ comfortability in their discharge of duties but to rejig the consolidated structural pay increase of workers by the current disturbing economic conditions in the country.
Nigeria workers have faced a deluge of pains in the heat of this current inflation caused by the dwindling economy but all hope is not lost. They deserve more salary packages from the government considering their unalloyed contributions to enhancing the achievement of bureaucratic efficiency and effectiveness in Nigeria. Their day-to-day functions in upholding the integrity of public administration cannot be over-emphasized. It, therefore demands that the government steps to consider the bigger picture of providing more incentives for workers through a reviewed salary structure enhancement.
The federal government has some challenges to tackle, especially in critically considering the impacts of her major policy actions on the lives of Nigerians before embarking on them. The Lagos – Calabar coastal highway project billed to consume the whooping cost of over 15 trillion naira would have been committed to tackling the rising flames of economic meltdown gripping the daily survival of the citizenry.
Governance is all about knowing what benefits the people and the ability to make them available and accessible to the same people whose interest remains the priority in a decent democracy. The government’s failure to regularly identify with the people’s needs with a view to addressing them truly hampers the cordial relationship the former is supposed to be enjoying in the hands of the latter in collectively moving forward the nation’s civil administration. Legitimacy as a concept in political studies supports the fact that leadership is highly valued, rated and considered excellent when its ingredients are confirmed tasteful by the greater majority of the people. We celebrate Workers’ Day when a litre of fuel is sold at 850 naira, we rejoice with Workers when their children cannot be fed with their meagre salary; we observe Workers’ Day in the face of security threats and mayhems bedevilling the entire nooks and crannies of the nation! It is time for the government to stop sitting on the fence by holistically transforming the polity through adopting, activating and implementing the 2014 National Conference reports towards liberating Nigerians from the hedge of backwardness.
Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu .
President , ECK Foundation .
