Emma Sunday
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero to remain constructive in carrying out their duties of representing the workers and the masses.
Governor Fubara stated this while unveiling 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses given by the NLC to its Rivers chapter at their office in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the governor 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 State 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.
The Governor 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 were given official vehicles as they upon their appointment because the Governor understands that workers’ need.”
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.
On hazard allowances that is being paid to health staff, he 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, NLC President, 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.
The NLC President also thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the approval of N85,000 minimum wage 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 at when due. Anything that will delay the salary, we will all jointly fight it,” he declared.
The State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Alex Agwanwa, 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.
