Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has employed 360 cleaners from the state’s three senatorial districts into the civil service, a move aimed at enhancing workforce welfare and ensuring job security.
The State Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa, revealed this development on Friday during a press briefing in Benin City. He described the initiative as part of the Okpebholo administration’s commitment to implementing people-centred policies.
Okungbowa explained that the recruited cleaners had been deployed to various ministries and government parastatals. This step marks a departure from the previous administration’s reliance on consultants and contractors, who had the authority to hire and fire cleaners without job security.
“Recently, the governor directed that cleaners should be employed into the state civil service as against using consultants and contractors,” Okungbowa stated.
“These consultants and contractors were in business arrangements with the government. They were paid to employ cleaners to maintain government offices, but the cleaners’ take-home pay then was discouraging and couldn’t sustain them.”
Under the new arrangement, the cleaners will now receive the state’s minimum wage of ₦70,000, a significant improvement from the ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 they earned previously. The governor’s decision ensures the cleaners have better pay and job security.
“Governor Okpebholo was not pleased with the arrangement under the Obaseki administration,” Okungbowa added. “As such, he instructed direct employment to ensure the cleaners are recruited and adequately compensated with the minimum wage.”
The HOS noted that all 360 cleaners have been issued appointment letters and their employment reflects inclusivity, as it spans the three senatorial districts of Edo State.
Okungbowa also announced that the current recruitment is just the first phase. “This is not the only batch that will be employed by the Edo State government, as there will be another batch coming up,” he said.