Governor Chukwuma Soludo has commended local government workers in Anambra State for their dedication and commitment to duty, declaring that they deserve their wages.
The Governor made the commendation during the Local Government Workers’ Week celebration in Awka, where he highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve workers’ welfare while outlining plans for further reforms in the local government service.
Soludo said his administration had cleared four years of outstanding gratuities, ensuring that retiring workers receive their pensions and gratuities as and when due.
“When I came, the gratuities owed for four years had been cleared. Those retiring are getting their pension and gratuities as and when due,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to workforce development, the Governor promised to reconstitute the relevant commission and address issues relating to staff training.
“We will reconstitute the commission and deal with the issue of training. For our own part, whatever is feasible to be done within budget constraints will be done,” he added.
He also praised local government employees for contributing to development across the state’s 21 local government areas, particularly in road construction, market sanitation and other community-based projects.
“Our workers show up to work, not just distributing resources to them. When I see the local governments tarring roads, keeping our markets clean, it shows that the system is working. Keep doing the work efficiently,” Soludo stated.
On political strategy and national alignment, the Governor urged Ndi Anambra to make strategic decisions during elections, arguing that political choices should be guided by the state’s and the South-East’s interests.
He described the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a platform for regional progress and called for political support that would strengthen the state’s relationship with the Federal Government.
“Politics is about interest. Ndi Igbo want to be President—it will happen soon. Wisdom demands that you support the moving train,” he said.
Soludo further noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds a Southern mandate, stressing the importance of maintaining a working relationship with the Federal Government to secure development benefits for the South-East.
“We will benefit nothing from wasting our votes.
 We need the partnership with the Federal Government to be on the table to negotiate for dividends of development,” he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government, Barrister. Vin Ezeaka, commended the Soludo administration for prioritising workers’ welfare, noting that the Local Government Service Week was introduced under the present administration.
“There had been nothing like Local Government Service Week before you came on board. Workers are happy, and that is why they are always part of this,” he said.
Also speaking, the APGA candidate for Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha Federal Constituency, Barrister Chukwudi Oli, reminded participants of the lasting importance of public service, saying, “In service, we will be remembered.”
The celebration featured a cultural march-past and an exhibition of agricultural products by workers representing the state’s 21 local government areas.
