By Usman D. Aliyu
The Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf
on Wednesday said efforts are on by the state government to ensure workers in the state own a decent and affordable houses.
Addressing workers on the occasion of May Day celebration in the state, Abba Kabir Yusuf who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam said it has initiated move to ensure that a reasonable proportion of interested workers desirous of owning decent shelter eventually realize their noble aspirations.
He describe the withdrawal of the state from the National housing fund scheme as devastating and a set back to the state.
According to him, “As one time civil servant, I am aware of the challenges of ownership of shelter of the majority of civil servants under the prevailing harsh economic condition and housing deficit in the nation.
“To mitigate the challenge, our administration is engaging with all relevant stakeholders including the organized labour leaders to explore feasible and mutually assuring and beneficial ways and means for workers to own a decent and affordable shelter under the national housing fund scheme. The government has already initiated the move and all arrangements are on top gear to facilitate this important aspect of our lives to our workers and make it affordable as possible.
“This is being explore after the state pulled out from the scheme in 2004 (20 years ago) and that has been devastating over the years because we loss so much that was due to us from the Federal Mortgage Banks and other facilities available for Kano citizens to access and enjoy.
“If and when negotiations are successfully concluded, based on consensus, govt hopes that a reasonable proportion of interested workers desirous of owning decent shelter will eventually realize their noble aspirations. On this goal, let me State the readiness of the Kano State government to provide land for the commencement of the construction of the houses as soon as the parties arrived at consensus.
“Similarly, we are also aware of the existing deficit in our urban and rural infrastructure and maintain an unwavering resolve and commitment to address it,” the Governor stated.
Governor Yusuf however reiterated the commitment of the government to the welfare of the workers while appealing for sustained industrial peace and harmony in both the public and private sector of the economy of the state.
Earlier, the Chairman, Kano State chapter o Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa called on the state government on the need to revisit the payment of wage award that was only paid once.
Comrade Inuwa also called on the government to look into issue of the backlog of unremitted pension contributions by some organizations which is alarming, with a staggering accumulation of over 75 billion as of May 2023.
“As labour leaders, it is our priority to highlight and pursue our challenges and demand through the famous philosophy of cooperation, collaboration and Contestation. Because any Trade Union strategy that is not workers driven is subversive and most be resisted by the members.
“Your Excellency, we sincerely wish to forward our demands as follows: The issue of the backlog of unremitted pension contributions by some organizations is alarming, with a staggering accumulation of over 75 billion as of May 2023. This poses a serious threat to the financial security of our retirees. The none remittance lead to deductions of pension thus nonpayment of full pension for years. While we commend the present administration for commencing full payment of pension, we demand that all defaulting government institutions shall commence paying the back log to enable settlement of retirement and death benefit. We are sure if elaborative analysis of the back log is done and a strategy to recoup the money is put in place, the accrued benefits could be settled within few years.
“The payment of wage award that was only paid once needs to be revisited. Workers rely on these awards to improve their standard of living, and a consistent payment schedule shall be established to ensure their welfare is safeguarded,” the NLC Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa however stated.
