Hon. Matthew Mofe Edema, Warri South Council Chairman, kneeling and raising his hands to God in Thanksgiving.

By Francis Sadhere

As the country continues to feel the pangs of the economic recession, the Warri South Local  Government Chairman in Delta State, Mr. Mathew Mofe Edema has appealed to workers in the state to remain calm and keep the faith.

Edema who made this plea during his second year anniversary thanksgiving service held at the premises of the council area today, called on workers to continue to come to work even as he promised that the state government will still pay their salaries in no distance time.

He said, “All workers in Delta State should keep the faith. If you are not being paid today that does not mean that you would not be paid tomorrow. If you are paid tomorrow, how are you going to account for the days that you did not come to work? So let everybody come to work.”

The Warri South council boss said the past two have been very fruitful despite the economic crunch biting the country, adding that God has been so faithful to him and his council workers.

“We have been passing through a lot of challenges because we all know what the nation has going through. But we in Warri South council area do not depend on the nation. We are relying on the heavenly economy to survive.”

He however lamented that that the paucity of funds to the council areas has made him not to fulfill a lot of promises he made two years ago but stressed that a lot can still happen in the remaining one year.

He said, “There were a lot of promises I made when I was coming back as the chairman but I could not fulfill. But I serve a living God who can break a stone with an egg. So anything can still happen within the next one year that is still remaining. The people are right in my heart and I am ready to serve them.”

He thanked God that the council area has remained peaceful despite some skirmishes here and there, adding that even though funds were scarce, the council has been able to embark on some essential projects.

“The health centres are working today because they need to be working. If you cannot build skyscrapers for your people at least the environment needs to be clean and you should be able to provide the basic health care services for your people, and that is what we are doing today.

“For two years it has been wonderful because God has helped all the way. If you go to anywhere today people will you that Warri South is one of the cleanest council areas in the state. So far there is peace in the land but that does not mean that we did not have one or two issues. But God has taken absolute control,” he added.

Workers in the council area gathered outside the secretariat and with one voice sang praises and worship songs together and prayed for Nigeria, Delta State, Warri South Council Areas and the workers.