In sustaining a cordial relationship with workers, Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has announced the successful implementation of about 80 percent of demands presented to his administration by the organised labour unions in the state.
Emmanuel stated this Tuesday while addressing workers during the 2018 International Workers Day celebrations hosted by the state councils of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Uyo Township Stadium.
The governor, who said he has an emotional attachment to the state workforce, said a mechanism has been put in place to clear back-log of gratuities to retirees.
“There are three tiers of government, I could have chosen not to but because they are all Akwa Ibom people and because of our humane nature, we first took on 10 years arrears of employees. I want to assure everybody that as far as God gives us the ability, the little remaining, which we have made tremendous progress, we’ll make efforts to ensure we clear them as soon as possible,” he stated.
He announced that plans are in top gear for the provision of affordable housing scheme for workers to enable them own personal houses before retirement, and appealed to the organised labour groups to re-consider introduction of the contributory pension scheme, calling on public servants to cooperate with the head of the state civil service to ensure the success of the programme.
The State Chief Executive, however, applauded the workers for the cordial, harmonious and peaceful relationship his administration has enjoyed from the workforce, which has contributed to the remarkable development in the state.
In her solidarity message, Mrs. Tonye Tom-Manuel, the state Controller, Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity, said the theme of this year’s May Day celebrations, “Labour Movement In National Development: Dare to struggle, Dare to Win”, was apt, recalling that the event was in remembrance of those who struggled and lost their lives in the cause of liberating underpaid workers from unfavorable working conditions.
Tom-Manuel explained that the labour movement has a major role to play in sustainable national development, and pointed out their direct involvement in the economic systems of production and distribution, extolling the unions’ influence on the cost and content of employment, social and economic policies through collective bargaining.
Mrs. Ekerebong Akpan, the Head of the State Civil Service, announced that the state government has released the promotion of 9,986 workers for 2015/2016, stressing that Emmanuel administration has released promotion of more than 20,000 civil servants since inception of the administration.
Akpan said the state government has automated the payroll of workers to facilitate smooth transition from the integrated salary payroll to pension payroll on retirement, adding that the development has reduced the previously rigorous documentation of retirees, and lauded the Governor’s demonstration of sincere concern towards the welfare of workers despite lean resources.
Sir Ibanga Akpabio, the commissioner of Labour, Productivity and Manpower Planning, applauded the governor for the creation of a full-fledged ministry to oversee the affairs of workers for the first time in the state, noting that the gesture was in fulfilment of promises to the present administration made to labour movement.
Akpabio described industrial peace as a panacea for sustainable development, and implored workers to continue to maintain decorum in their activities, assuring of the ministry’s prompt resolution of issues when the need arises.
He stressed that the ministry is poised to boost the needed human development for the industrialisation drive of the state administration, remarking that government would not relent in its efforts to maintain peace and harmony for increased productivity, wealth creation and economic development of the state.
Also speaking, Sunyiekekere Inokon, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Industrial Relations, congratulated the labour unions on the successful hosting of the event, charging them to show dedication to duty, transparency, accountability and hard work for enhanced productivity.
Inokon said given the place of labour in the national development, government has taken various steps to protect and promote the welfare of workers, and appreciated the Akwa Ibom government for sustaining a cordial relationship with the labour movement, which has aided industrial harmony in the state.
In his address, Etim Ukpong, the state Chairperson of NLC, said that the various unions have been interfacing with the government on regular basis through personal contacts, meetings, media interactions and correspondence, indicating that the steps were taken in exercise of the mandate given them by workers.
Ukpong expressed gratitude to the state government for the prompt and regular payment of salaries and pensions, new recruitments, upgrading of the State College of Arts and Science to an HND-awarding institution, roads construction, establishment of industries to create employment and ensure clement atmosphere for the private sector.
He implored government to make pronouncements in the areas of backlog of leave grants to primary school teachers and local government employees, harmonisation of pensions and expansion of the scope of payment to accommodate teachers and local government workers as well as requested government to rescind the decision to privatise essential units of the public health-care delivery system, among others.
Akamba Awah, the state Chairman of TUC, stated that the theme of this year’s Workers Day Celebration was informed by the role the organised labour movement pledged in shaping the narrative of the country, noting that the union would not rest on its oars until the emergence of a responsive government that would cushion the pains of workers.
Awah thanked the governor for intervention in Le Meridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo by procuring new generators and chillers, release of promotion letters for 2015/2016, approving payment of car loans with increase, payment of gratuities and pensions and release of new buses to the leadership of the organised unions.
He enumerated some challenges to national development to include dearth of infrastructure, corruption and insecurity, however soliciting the training and retraining of labour leaders, reviewing of duty tour allowance and implementation of new national minimum wages when instituted.
Others who also presented goodwill messages were Onofiok Luke, the speaker of the State House of Assembly; Justice Godwin Abraham, the state Chief Judge; Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government, SSG and Udo Kierian Akpan, the house leader of the state House of Assembly.
High point of the event was the presentation of two new buses by the State Governor to the leadership of the NLC and TUC to ease transportation challenges during official engagements.
