By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, on Friday reiterated his administration's continued commitment and support to public servants in the state.

Speaking at the 2023 Public Service Day celebration held at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, Soludo promised a cash award of N20,000 for each worker, in addition to their leave allowance which had been paid.

Speaking on the theme, “Digitalization of work processes in the public service: A Gateway to efficient resources utilization and National development”, Soludo emphasised the importance of digitalization in the public service, stating that it is the way to go for efficient resource utilization and national development.

He highlighted the state's recent digital training programme for 20,000 youths, which benefited many civil servants and assured that the government will continue to invest in digital tools and training to enhance the productivity of the workforce.

In a bid to further equip the workforce for the digital age, the governor announced that 1,000 laptops will be distributed to civil servants in the coming year, even as he harped on the need for public servants to be tech-savvy in today's world.

Soludo further acknowledged the current economic challenges facing the country, including double-digit inflation and exchange rate depreciation and noted that public servants, with their fixed incomes, are often the hardest hit by these challenges.

He gave assurance of his government's commitment to support the workers and pointed to the payment of outstanding gratuities accumulated by the previous administration and the consistent payment of salaries as examples of the government's commitment.

In a gesture of appreciation, Governor Soludo donated buses to public servants to ease their transportation and encouraged them to participate in the distribution of palm and coconut seedlings, stating that planting 10-15 seedlings could help them escape poverty in the coming years.

Earlier in speech the Head of Service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe, while thanking the Governor for the 10% increment in workers’ salaries and N12,000 monthly payment from September to December palliative, commended him for approving that civil servants acquire digital skills training and made a case for other needs.

While speaking about the digitalization of work processes in the public service, the Chairman of the Occasion and former Head of Service, Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Melifonwu, urged civil servants not to become weary in diligently discharging their duties.

She advised them to take advantage of the digital skills Soludo's administration is offering free of charge so as to be efficient and productive in this digital age.

The Governor had at the beginning of the event observed a minute silence for the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, passed away Thursday.

He also congratulated and thanked all civil servants in the state for their dedicated service to the people of Anambra.