Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has called on the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to continue representing workers and the masses in a constructive manner.
He made this statement during the unveiling of 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses donated by the NLC to its Rivers chapter at their Port Harcourt office.
The governor’s plea emphasizes the importance of the NLC’s role in promoting the welfare of workers and the community. Under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC has been actively advocating for workers’ rights and interests.
Governor Fubara who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, assured the NLC of his administration’s resolve to make the welfare of Rivers workers a priority, just as he urged them to continue to engage government meaningfully and constructively.
He said, “Thank you for your support for the Nigerian masses in general. The challenges you encounter are because of the Nigerian masses. Be assured that the people and Government of Rivers State appreciate your efforts and will continue to encourage you to engage all levels of government meaningfully and constructively to ensure that this country witnesses a paradigm shift for the good of the people and the country in general.
“As a government, we will pass a vote of confidence on the Stare Chapter of NLC. They have approached issues in a very civilized manner,” the Governor noted.
Governor Fubara thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support in providing the CNG buses for workers and extending the gesture to other workers at the states’ level.
He reiterated that he would continue to provide the enabling environment to ensure workers in Rivers State are able to carry out their duties proficiently.
According to him, “Here in Rivers State, this administration has always seen the need for workers to be mobile to successfully deliver on their responsibilities. That is why from day one, we provided free buses for workers which has been running for more than a year now; and for senior cadre of civil servants, the Permanent Secretaries, they are given official vehicles as they are appointed because the Governor understands that workers need the necessary tools such as vehicles to perform their duties optimally.”
He thanked the NLC for choosing Rivers State as its starting point for the zonal distribution of the vehicles and for engaging President Tinubu to make them available.
Answering questions from the NLC, the Governor noted that he was aware that the hazard allowances were being paid to health staff but advised that the Rivers chapter of NLC articulate concerns of grey areas as well as pending issues regarding the teachers of Demonstration Schools.
“Our Governor believes that a worker is worthy of his wages, and I assure you, he will address genuine concerns of the NLC”, he assured.
Speaking, the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, thanked President Tinubu for the provision of the buses, and appealed that sufficient infrastructure be provided to enable CNG users access affordable refill.
He added that if CNG refill is as expensive as PMS, the essence of having CNG buses will have little or no effect.
He thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the approval of N85,000 minimum wage salary for Rivers civil servants, as he further appealed that the Governor look into the issues of non- payment of hazard allowance for health workers and non- payment of salary to teachers of Demonstration Schools.
He noted, “We have been told the Governor has milk of human kindness. NLC cannot seat and watch workers of Rivers State suffer. While we are not going to go into issues of jurisprudence or position of the Judiciary, the NLC is also advising the Judiciary not to go into a journey of self-destruct…
“It is only the Supreme Court that can review itself. No other court can overturn the position of the Supreme Court. We want to plead with the NBA and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to look into what’s happening.
“Rivers State is among states that workers collect their salaries as and when due. Anything that will delay the salary, we will all jointly fight it,” he declared.
The State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked Governor Fubara for his support, and maintained that Rivers is one of the most hospitable states in the country that welcomes all.
He thanked President Tinubu for giving the vehicles to the state chapter, while welcoming all delegates to Rivers for the NEC meeting of the NLC, urging them to feel free and enjoy the hospitable nature of the State and the people.