The Edo State Government has reversed its directive that reduced working days from five days to three days for civil and public servants following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government in May, 2023.

It would be recalled that the state government had in June, 2023, announcedthat as a show of empathy to the Edo people in the wake of the rise in prices of goods and services as well as the overall cost of living occasioned by the sudden fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his inauguration on May 29, the government directed civil servants in the state to work for only three days in a week.

Ministries and departments were, therefore ordered to work out the modalities with the public servants in their employ such that government activities would not be jeopardised.

Reversing the policy in a circular dated September 29, 2023, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, for the Head of Service, Mrs. Priscillia Aziegbemhin, the state government said the decision to reverse to five work days a week was in view of the fact that the State Government had put in place measures to alleviate the transport plight of Edo residents occasioned by the hike in the price of petroleum products.

The circular reads: “I am directed to refer to the above subject and to convey the decision of the State Government to bring to an end the implementation of the three-day weekly work schedule for Civil/Public Servants across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“This decision is in view of the fact that the State Government has put in place measures to alleviate the transport plight of Edo residents occasioned by the hike in the price of petroleum products. It is expected that every Civil/Public Servant should take advantage of these measures.”

It further addedthat, “In view of the foregoing, all Civil/Public Servants are by this Circular directed to resume for work every workday of the week with effect from Tuesday 3rd October 2023.”

The Edo State Government had on September 11, 2023, commenced a free bus ride scheme through its State-owned transport service provider (ECTS), covering both intra and inter-city routes. (Nigerian Tribune)