Indifference and coldness enveloped Akwa Ibom workers as Governor Udom Emmanuel responded to their demands during the celebration of 2023 Workers Day on Monday.
While cheerleaders who crowded the VIP Platform ceaselessly hailed the Governor over his speech, the workers both from public and private sectors were indifferent as their expectations were not properly met.
Straightnews online that covered the event discovered that the workers were docile when the Governor was responding to the issues on workers’ welfare raised by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akwa Ibom State councils.
Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom Council had tasked Governor Udom Emmanuel to address the issues of pension adjustment, gratuities, promotion and arrears payment among other things before exiting office on May 29.
The Union also urged the Governor to address the consequential pensions adjustment of retirees in line with the 2020 National Minimum wage Table, and release funds for the payment of gratuities on monthly basis to all category of workers in the state
The NLC Chairperson, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Sunny James demands handed down the demands at the 2023 workers Day celebration held at Ibom Hall grounds, Uyo on Monday.
Mr. James also requested the release of workers promotion as at when due, saying the on-going teachers disagreement on promotion arrears of 2011 – 2016 should be cleared as done for other categories of workers.
He further requested that the outstanding leave grant of Primary School Teachers and Local Government workers be cleared, as well as the refund of 7.5 per cent contributory pension to workers, especially Primary school teachers.
Speaking on the theme: Workers’ Right and Socio-economic Justice, the Chairperson also appealed to the Governor to direct an immediate payment of the four months allowance of medical doctors on housemanship to discourage the exodus of qualified health workers to foreign countries.
The TUC Chairman, Dominic Abang also joined his voice in calling on the governor to proffer solutions to challenging issues affecting Akwa Ibom workers.
Responding to their demands, Governor Udom Emmanuel assured the NLC that the consequential pensions’ adjustment of retirees was being worked on, and all outstanding pensions and the allowances of medical doctors on housemanship would be cleared before he vacates office on May 29.
Emmanuel who was accompanied to the celebration by Akwa Ibom Governor-elect Pastor Umo Eno also assured that the disagreement on promotion arrears of 2011–2016 for teachers would be sorted out; adding that government was waiting for the data on 7.5 percent contributory pensions and would begin the process of refund as soon as the required information reaches the government.
“I had a meeting with the pensioners who brought something to my attention. I stand on my promise that we would correct those issues of the pensioners if their joint report would be ready by that Wednesday (I have called a special meeting of EXCO members) and they promised me that the report will be ready.
“We have done the 2022 promotion. It has been signed and I would be surprised if the Head of Service has not circulated that because that should go for implementation. 2023 promotion will be done after the appraisal of your performance in 2023. So, I can’t start now to promote you, hoping you would perform. You would perform first before I promote you.
“On the issue of leave grant for primary school teachers, since we took over government and governance, every month, the state has been intervening in helping out at the third tier of government. It is not the fault of the local government, it is the structure of our fiscal responsibility as a nation.
“Whatever we do is a sacrifice on our part that we keep intervening in the local government area. When this was brought to my notice, I said we are going to suspend a lot of projects as a state and intervene immediately. I want to believe that beginning from tomorrow, people will start getting alert.
“On the 7.5 percent contributory pensions for Primary school teachers, I have set up a committee on that, let that committee complete their own report. As I am standing here, in the past 7 years, with 11 months and few days to go, the Chairman of Labour Congress is aware, those we are able to reconcile at the state, we have paid.
“As a state if we don’t have records of you contributing in the state, under which caption are we going to pay? But be that as it may, I am going to go back and get a special approval (which I have assured them) in order for us to intervene since they say they have the records, details are not necessary before the camera. But be rest assured, the Chairman of the Local Congress is working with the Accountant General, and the Local Government on this matter.
“On the housemanship allowance from January to March, you know my passion for health. If there is one area that government has invested a lot of money, it is in health care delivery system. We are one of the few states in this country today that is paying health care hazards allowance to health workers. So I don’t think the delay of one or two months should be an issue. I am sure the Commissioner will sort that out,” Governor Emmanuel.
He used the opportunity to announce plans to commission a low cost housing estate for workers before he vacates office on May 29.
“For the housing scheme, Chairman of Labour Congress, let me assure you that before I leave office on May 29, I am going to commission a medium housing scheme for workers. You might not know that we have gong far. As of today, we have done a whole lot of units, and trust me, we will commission that before we leave office,” he said.
