Agege Local Government Area (LGA) situated in Lagos State has taken a compassionate step towards easing the financial burdens faced by its workforce, announcing a significant reduction in its operating days to just three. This decision was unveiled on Tuesday by Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, the Council Chairman, as part of a broader strategy to alleviate the economic challenges affecting the residents.
Amidst these measures, the council has also undertaken a commendable effort to alleviate financial stress for traders and inhabitants within the locality. Chief Egunjobi, articulating the rationale behind these decisions, expressed his concerns regarding the adverse repercussions of the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw subsidies, which has deeply affected the residents of the area.
Egunjobi remarked, “Our conscientious decision to implement these reductions has been prompted by the far-reaching implications of the government’s subsidy withdrawal on our community. The impact of this withdrawal extends beyond the general populace to our own staff, who find themselves grappling with the same economic hardships.”
Acknowledging the government’s move to abolish subsidies, Egunjobi stated, “While the cessation of the subsidy regime is a welcome step, as it was benefiting a select few while sidelining crucial sectors of the economy and the common citizens, we are acutely aware of the unintended consequences it has inadvertently brought upon our staff and residents.”
“In these challenging times,” Egunjobi affirmed, “the council under my stewardship is resolute in providing a measure of relief to our dedicated staff members, residents, and business operators.”
Egunjobi proceeded to elaborate, “To this effect, we are implementing a reduction in the various levies paid by our residents and business community.”
However, Egunjobi did underscore a key change – the working days allocated to employees would now be limited to three, following a rotation schedule. This innovative adjustment is aimed at curbing the financial outlays that employees face daily for transportation. By minimizing the necessity for daily commuting, the council hopes to mitigate the financial pressures exacerbated by escalating fares.
He qualified this modification by highlighting that only those within the Health and Environment departments, who are crucial for the council’s ongoing operations, will be exempt from this revised arrangement.
Moreover, Egunjobi exhibited his commitment by instituting a directive that the four school shuttle buses, typically reserved for transporting public school children, will temporarily extend their services to the workforce until the resumption of students.
“With our students currently on vacation, and the redundant school buses at our disposal, we are repurposing them to serve our dedicated staff, complementing our existing staff transportation service for their commute to and from work,” Egunjobi explained.
