The State Head of Service, Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed who stated this while speaking with newsmen in his office, said ‘this is coming despite  the over two billion naira shortfall in federal allocation to the state’.

The HoS however expressed concern that the reduction in the allocations to the state was peculiar, saying the federal government must not use partisan politics to hinder the developmental strides of the state.

He said the increment which is expected to gulp about N100,000,000.00 was a vivid indication of government’s commitment to the welfare of the workforce and commended the Ministry of Finance for its expertise in handling the state’s finances judiciously.

The HoS added that the present administration would continue to give priority attention to staff welfare, saying it would continue to pride itself as one of the four states in the federation that does not owe its workers salaries.

Alhaji Mohammed said the payment of increment will commence next month, while arrears for this month would also be paid in earnest.

On staff training, the Head of Service said another two hundred million naira had been earmarked for staff training, saying since the inception of the scheme, productivity of workers had improved.

Speaking on the participation of civil servants in politics, he said every individual had the right to exercise his franchise, but called on them to vote wisely for leaders who have the inherent capacity to transform the country.

Alhaji Mohammed however warned civil servants not to relinquish the discharge of their service on the alter of politics, saying erring individuals would be duly punished.

He also appealed to striking nurses in Kwara State to consider the plight of the general populace by returning to work, ‘its negative toll on the populace was becoming overbearing’.

He said since the strike embarked upon by nurses in the state was merely a sympathy one, the nurses must consider the thousands of lives seeking medical attention and return to full service.

Alhaji Mohammed however said in the interim, a pool of doctors and other medical practitioners have been strategically stationed at medical centres across the metropolis, including the General Hospital, Sobi Specialist Hospital, among others to provide quality health care to the people.

He charged the striking nurses to consider the sundry efforts of the present administration aimed at improving their welfare by shelving their industrial action.