Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured Rivers civil servants of the readiness of the state to implement the new salary increase recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters are made available.
The governor gave the assurance on Wednesday at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, during the 2024 International Workers Day rally.
He expressed the concern of his administration about the poor state of the nation’s economy and the attendant rising inflation, which has impacted adversely on the purchasing power and well-being of average workers and their families.
Speaking in line with the theme of the celebration, ‘People First’, the governor said: “Let me assure you that we are going to work with the Federal Government to implement necessary measures, including the continuation of the free bus services and the provision of necessary palliatives to ameliorate the current hardship faced by ordinary citizens.
“We are committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters are made available.
“We are a listening government, and we have heard the common concerns and demands of labour on the urgency of stimulating economic growth and improving the living conditions of our people.”
He acknowledged workers as critical human resources that have continued to contribute immensely to the sustained long-term economic growth of the state, noting that they are indispensable, from the production lines of small and big factories to government offices and institutions.
“They also play critical roles,” he added, “in the vast oil and gas fields and in the movement of goods and services, where they ensure service delivery, wealth creation, and the advancement of human civilisation.”.
“Rivers State is what it is—economically strong, resilient, and vibrant because of our workers. Our local governments and communities are what they are because workers are doing their jobs.
“Our nation is the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa only because of the commitment, efforts, and achievements of our workers.
“What this means is that there can be no nation-building or progress in society without the input, effort, and sacrifice of the workforce,” Gov. Fubara declared.
In his address, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Alex Agwanwor, said the theme of 2024 International Labour Day, ‘People First’, reflects the leadership direction of Governor Fubara, who has continued to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state.
Comrade Agwanwor praises the governor for implementing promotions for state and local government workers with consequential financial benefits.
In addition, he lauded him for the payment of the N30,000.00 minimum wage to LG workers, the N100,000.00 Christmas bonus across the board to all workers, the constitution of governing councils, boards, and commissions of government agencies and institutions for effective service delivery, the restored functionality of basic utilities at the State Secretariat, and the reopening of Rivers State Transport Company (RTC).
All of these, according to him, have further motivated workers and emboldened them to remain unfettered in their support for the success of the Governor Fubara-led administration while increasing their productivity.
The NLC Chairman stated, For us as Rivers State workers, we make bold to state without fear or favour that the present administration of Your Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is aptly a reflection of the year 2024 theme of the Workers Day celebration.
“We acknowledge consistently the demonstration of Your Excellency’s confession of purpose and value-driven leadership and administration in thoughts, deeds, and actions, and as critical stakeholders in the Rivers State project and beneficiaries of Your Excellency’s humane disposition, we offer to journey with you on the quest to positively impact the lives of Rivers people.
He commended the Governor for making efforts to revamp the abandoned Songhai Integrated Farms at Bunu Tai and listed other agricultural initiatives such as the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), C-4 programmes, and Delta Rubber Company, among others, as areas the government must focus on to enhance food sufficiency and security while taming hunger and raising job creation opportunities in the state.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Okechukwu Onyefuru, expressed delight over the recent feat of Governor Fubara by increasing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N11 billion to N27 billion.
Comrade Onyefuru advised that with items like railways and the building of refineries moved to the concurrent list, the state government should take advantage of this new legal framework to further grow the state’s IGR and create more jobs for the youth.
The TUC chairman also appealed to Governor Fubara to use his good offices to compel International Oil Companies (OICs) not to move their headquarters out of the State, while also thanking him for mediating in the industrial dispute in Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited at Eleme.
Comrade Onyefuru said Nigerian workers condemned and rejected the recent increase in electricity tariffs, describing it as draconian and anti-people.
The TUC chairman also requested that the salary of primary healthcare workers be moved to the Primary Healthcare Management Board, where he said they feel better protected.
The highlight of the May Day celebration was the award of the Labour Champion of Rivers State bestowed on the governor by organised labour for being the most labour-friendly governor. The State Civil Service also offered him the gift of a Bible and a portrait.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NEWSNGR.COM.NG