TheCable

Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos commissioner for information and strategy, says the decision to increase salaries of civil servants was not politically motivated.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on Sunday, Omotosi said the claims that the increment was a political scheme ahead of the 2023 general election were untrue.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has been setting the pace for others to follow.

“The governor is saying that we appreciate the service you are providing and despite the fact that things are so hard, you are still carrying on and you are putting smiles on the faces of residents who are coming to government offices,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“No matter how low or high the percentage may be, I think the symbolism is that at this particular time, the governor feels that workers deserve a raise and he has pronounced it.

“And if you listen to him very well, he said he has instructed the office of the head of service, establishment, state treasury office to come together to look at this and see what the numbers are and see how we can go, but that workers are now going to a pay rise is a forgone conclusion.

“I think the whole world is hailing him for doing that but if people are now saying it is for political reasons, let so many people in positions of authority also do so for political reasons and raise salary.”

The commissioner said the government intends to inaugurate over 30 schools, jetties and housing projects before the end of 2022.

“We are building the infrastructure for the Blue Line Rail system that will take passengers from Marina to Mile 2,” he added.

“We also have the red line that will convey passengers from Oyingbo to Alagbado, both of them will be ready at the end of this year.

“A few days ago, we saw the trains for the red line arrive at the port, that shows that rail project that we are working on is an alternative and it is a linkage among all models of transportation.

“If you check the records you will see that more people are now using our waterways because they have seen that it is safe and faster.

“We now have more routes and we are also building more water jetties in Badagry, Ikorodu and other divisions of the state.”