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By Pius Dukor
“The true basis of morality is utility: that is, the adaptation of our actions to the promotion of the general welfare and happiness; the endeavor so to rule our lives that we may serve and bless mankind” this statement was made by Annie Besant some years ago. The above philosophy is in tandem with the current situation in Rivers State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara who is barely few months in office have stirred up surprises by this singular act stimulating unprecedented jubilations amongst the 23 local government councils’ workers. In addition, the governor has directed for the immediate payment of 30 Thousand naira minimum wage, a situation that was denied them many years ago.
No doubt, the workers at the LGA in Rivers State have been stagnated for the period of 13 years in all ramifications. To expatiate more, stagnation can be describe as lack of definite development, or progressive tendencies. It could be either political or economic stagnation. Stagnation can also be in- active or state of sluggishness in a place of work or otherwise. The governor of Rivers did not wait for the workers to genuflect before him rather he considered their situation with a human right approach.
Apparently, the situation of the LGA workers was hopeless and dehumanizing with 18 Thousand naira as their monthly pay, especially now that there is food crises leading to skyrocketed price of food items in the market today. The people’s governor consciously knows about the current economic strangulation and economic crunch in the country and he is seriously working for the liberation of his people.
Moreover, Governor Fubara’s magnanimous attitude as a matter of fact call for not only jubilation but celebration as a transformational leader poised to quietly right the wrongs melted to this people in the past without any procrastination.
Obviously, the local government management system has been caged for too long in Rivers State by the past administration, where workers have been stagnated without promotion close to 13 years and the minimum wage was like a taboo.
In the past, the local government councils staff were rejected, ostracized, abused and their right trampled upon against their wish.
They were like orphans where over the years, the Local Government Service Commission was direction- less moving towards moribund without any headship.
It is on record that this landslide victory for LGA workers was not won through any court case, neither by carrying of placards or multiple demonstrations as the usual case with government and labour unions in Nigeria and States.
But through his vision, love and benevolence towards the workers, he break the jinx and break all encumbrances and impediments against the growth of the people as he ordered for the immediate promotion of all local government council staff with immediate pay packages inclusive. What this means is that henceforth, the staff who were absolutely abandoned without any promotion, minimum wage, payment of gratuity for retirement staff will now have a sense of belonging because there is a new sheriff in town.
Consequently, the catalog of juicy elements attached to just a visit to the Governor is monumental and worth celebrating. This is not unconnected to the series of meetings held between the acting chairman of the Local Government Service Commission Mr. Ben Goodlife and top management staff of the council.
Notwithstanding, the governor have in December put smiles on the faces of the civil servants, a gesture that was not earn through any legal battle or undue negotiation but by a simple leadership style of a seasonal administrator.
Furthermore, the 30 thousand naira minimum wage that was denied the local government staff over the years was earn in just half an hour meeting with the governor. What other proof would anyone need to know that the governor is God-sent and this is what they antagonizing him for not to emancipate the mases. This gestures will metamorphose into corporate governance and strengthen the already weak local government system. This is done out of goodwill and total commitment to transforming the workforce. What the governor need now is absoluteness of support, collaboration and less distraction from the political few who were busy milking the common resources to the disadvantage of others.
Holistically, Governor Sim is a simple, humane, detribalize and above all building human capacity development in Rivers State.
Approximately, the local council workers need to reciprocate and improve on their capacity and capabilities in making sure that productivity is at maximum level at the 23 local government councils in the State. The 13 years of dark age and political wilderness at the LGA is gone and their sudden promotion was like a Sisyphean but now the people will be rejuvenated base on this palatable venture and political calculus by the simplification methodology of the Moses of our time, Sir Siminalayi Fubara governor of Rivers State.
However, we advise the LGA chairmen to quickly implement the payment of 30 Thousand naira minimum wage and promotion of workers to alleviate and stop impoverishing the already downtrodden noting that any plan to circumvent the radical positivism by the governor will be rejected by the people.
Dukor, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Port Harcourt
