Governor Monday Okpebholo has employed 360 cleaners from Edo’s three senatorial districts into the civil service.

Anthony Okungbowa, the state head of service, disclosed this on Friday in Benin while briefing journalists on the steps taken by the Okpebholo-led administration to embark on people-centred initiatives.

Mr Okungbowa said those recruited have been deployed to various government ministries and parastatals to boost the workforce.

He noted that the previous administration had a contractual agreement with consultants and contractors who could hire and fire at any time it pleased them.

Mr Okungbowa revealed that the cleaners would be paid the N70,000 minimum wage. He added that Mr Okpebholo’s administration was committed to delivering good governance in all sectors.

“Recently, the governor directed that cleaners should be employed in the state civil service as opposed to using consultants and contractors.

“These consultants and contractors were into business and contract with the government.

“They were paid to employ cleaners to clean government offices, and their take-home pay then was not encouraging and couldn’t take them home.

“Governor Okpebholo was not pleased with the arrangement of the Obaseki administration. And as such instructed that direct employment should be embarked on to ensure cleaners were recruited and get paid the N70,000 minimum wage,” he said.

Mr Okungbowa added that before their employment, cleaners in Edo were paid between N20,000 and N30,000 because they were working under contractors with no job security.

According to him, they have been given appointment letters and cut across the state’s three senatorial districts.

“This is not the only batch that will be employed by the Edo state government, as there will be another batch coming up,” he stated.

(NAN)