By Opeyemi Adelakun
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved enhanced welfare packages for workers in the state public service, including increases in housing and car loan ceilings and Duty Tour Allowance (DTA).
The approvals also include an additional ₦500 million seed fund for the Car Loan and Housing Loan schemes.
This was contained in a statement signed by Sina Adeyeye, Director of Information, Office of the Head of Service, on Friday.
According to the statement, the State Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, announced the approvals in his office, saying the decision was prompted by the need to align the welfare schemes with prevailing economic realities.
Odusanya said the existing ceilings for the housing and car loan schemes had become inadequate, with their purchasing value significantly eroded by inflation, rising construction costs and increasing vehicle prices.
He noted that both schemes were last reviewed in 2013 and had since become due for further review.
“While these schemes have continued to provide considerable relief to beneficiaries, the current economic realities, characterised by high inflation, escalating construction costs and rising prices of motor vehicles, have significantly eroded the purchasing value of the existing loan ceilings,” Odusanya said.
He explained that the latest approval was intended to restore the effectiveness of the schemes and make them more beneficial to workers.
“The new approval by Mr. Governor is intended to restore the effectiveness of these welfare schemes by aligning the loan ceilings with prevailing economic realities, thereby making them more meaningful and beneficial to public servants,” he said.
The Head of Service also disclosed that the Duty Tour Allowance payable to officers undertaking official assignments had been reviewed upwards.
The adjustment covers official duties within Ondo State, outside the state and outside the country.
Odusanya further disclosed that the governor had approved an additional ₦500 million seed fund for the Car Loan and Housing Loan schemes.
He expressed appreciation to Aiyedatiwa for what he described as his consistent prioritisation of workers’ welfare, saying the measures would boost the morale of the state workforce.
Odusanya added that the enhanced welfare packages would further strengthen workers’ commitment to supporting the administration in implementing its programmes and development agenda for the people of Ondo State.
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