May Day 2020: What Sanwo-Olu Said About COVID-19 Frontline Workers

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday showered encomium on health workers on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19.

The governor in his address to commemorate 2020 May Day celebration on Friday at the Lagos House, Marina, described the workers as heroes of the season.

Sanwo-Olu lauded the dedication and commitment of the workers, saying they had been working beyond the call of duty, going to war to fight an invisible army.

Sanwo-Olu said, “Since this virus began to ravage our communities and disrupt our lives, these heroes have not just been going to work daily, they have been going to war daily against this unseen enemy.

“To you our courageous doctors, nurses and paramedics, I render the heartfelt gratitude of the government and good people of Lagos State”.

The governor also expressed his gratitude to the security agencies who went out daily, defying the fear of the virus to keep lives and property safe, saying “this day belongs to you.

“Let me pay a special debt of gratitude to another special set of workers. Our street sweepers, medical waste handlers and our PSP operators. We will never forget your toil and the risk you are bearing during these very unusual times in our history.

And “To those corporate bodies whose workers provide essential services so that our people can work from home and stay safe, your place in history is assured! Someday, the story will be written and told in its fullness, of how we tamed this plague, and you will find your names written in gold,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He said that his role as the Incident Commander on Covid-19 and Governor was to lead strategic onslaught against the unseen enemy from the front. “My role as your elected Governor is to lead you in this battle. I am proud to be in this battle with you. I am proud to be fighting shoulder to shoulder with our frontline workers,” he said.

“Moreover, as part of ongoing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the State, I approved a four hundred percent (400%) increment in the Hazard Allowance of Health Officers in the State for the month of April 2020. We have also introduced a Covid Allowance for all our frontline workers, which is a very generous amount that takes cognizance of the heightened risks of the jobs they have to do. All these are intended to appreciate the dedication of all our Health Officers in the fight against COVID-19.

“I should also mention that we have put in place additional health and life insurance for all our frontline health workers in the state to ensure that they are adequately insured. This gives them insurance protection on two levels.

 

The governor described the workers of Lagos State, across public and private sectors, represented by various Labour Unions, as the engine-rooms of the economy of the state, and the nucleus of wealth generation. “This is why as an administration we will always seek harmonious relationship with the workers, for the progress and prosperity of our State.

He commended the labour unions for their understanding and cooperation with his administration in the last one year adding that the industrial harmony and peace enjoyed in the State is in large part due to the maturity and cooperation of the labour unions.

“I, therefore, applaud the leadership of the various unions in the State for adopting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting to combative measures. I am proud of what we have so far achieved together, and I am grateful for the cooperation and support that you have given me and my colleagues. Together, we have given the people of Lagos State productive service.

“The need to continue along this path is essential. I further assure you that working together, this administration will protect workers’ rights and promote incentives for greater productivity.

“Our journey to the full reopening of our economy has resumed gradually, but we also know that there is still a long way ahead of us, and a great deal of sacrifice and selfdiscipline. The greater the level of sacrifice and discipline, the faster we will emerge on the other side of this challenge, triumphant and thankful”.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the pains of this present struggle are a necessary precursor to the emergence of a banner of victory over the State and indeed the nation.

“We are a resilient people. Invincibility is etched in our DNA. We will not bow to a virus. Let us maintain the pace of this great march to victory. Let us renew our commitment to working harder than ever to achieve our dream of a Greater Lagos.

“On our part as a government, we shall leave no stone unturned in our bid to improve the lot of our people,” the governor assured.