Some state governments have declared work-free days for civil servants ahead of the deadline for the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).
In Lagos, the head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who confirmed the development in a circular issued on Wednesday, said the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graciously approved the work-free day for the public servants.
He explained that the work-free day would commence on Tuesday, January 24, and end on Friday, January 27, 2023, for different grade levels of workers in the public service.
Muri-Okunola said, “Consequent upon the extension of the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is hereby notified for the general information that all public servants who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards from designated INEC Centers are encouraged to do so before Sunday, January 29, 2023, as it is a civic responsibility to vote.
“To this end, Mr Governor has graciously approved a work-free day to enable public servants to collect their PVCs from their respective local government/local council development areas as presented in the table below.”
The dates include Tuesday, January 24, 2023, for grade levels 01, 03, 07 and 15; Wednesday, January 25, 2023, for grade levels 02, 04, 08 and 13; Thursday, January 26, 2023, for grade levels 05, 09, 12, and 17; and Friday, January 27, 2023, for grade levels 06, 10, 14 and 16.
The Cross River state government also announced work free days for public servants to enable them get their PVCs.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Eric Anderson, disclosed this in a statement issued in Calabar on Friday.
Ayade said the work-free days became necessary to enable residents of the state to participate fully in the 2023 general election scheduled for Feb. 25 and March 11.
According to the governor, civil and public servants in the State are advised to take advantage of the work-free days to get their PVCs in readiness to make their votes count in the elections.
“Government wishes to make it clear for the benefit of members of the public that though work-free, members of the public are expected to take advantage of the days to get their PVCs and not just sit at home.
“It is important that members of the public get their PVCs in readiness to make their votes count in the coming election.
“Your PVC is the pathway to achieving credible elections, get yours now,’’ the governor emphasised.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ongoing collection of PVCs in the nation is scheduled to end on Jan. 29.
