Gov. Fubara Promises Rivers Workers Salary Increase

Share

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of implementing the salary increase recently approved by the Federal Government for workers in the State as soon as the parameters are made available.

Fubara, who gave the assurance at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, where activities to commemorate the 2024 International Workers Day, with the theme: ‘People First’, took place on Wednesday, expressed the concern of his Administration with regards to the poor state of the nation’s economy and the attendant rising inflation which has impacted adversely on the purchasing power and well-being of the average workers and their families.

The Governor said; “Let me assure you that we are going to work with the Federal Government to implement necessary measures, including the continuation of the free bus services and the provision of necessary palliatives to ameliorate the current hardship faced by ordinary citizens.

“We are also committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters are made available.

“We are a listening Government, and we have heard the common concerns and demands of labour on the urgency of stimulating economic growth and improving the living conditions of our people,” he said.

Fubara acknowledged workers as critical human resource that have continued to contribute immensely to the sustained long-term economic growth of the State, adding that workers are indispensable, from the production lines of small and big factories to Government offices and institutions.

He also noted that workers play critical roles in the vast oil and gas fields, to the movement of goods and services, where they ensure service delivery, wealth creation, and the advancement of human civilization.

In the words of Fubara; “Rivers State is what it is, economically strong, resilient, and vibrant because of our workers. Our local governments and communities are what they are because workers are doing their jobs.

“Our nation is the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa only because of the commitment, efforts, and achievements of our workers. What this means is that there can be no nation-building or progress in society without the input, effort, and sacrifice of the workforce.

“As a Government, we recognize the roles, importance, and relevance of our workers to the implementation of our policy agenda for economic growth, provision of infrastructure, social progress and advancing the welfare and well-being of citizens.

“This is the reason we are here, not only to celebrate with you, but also to reiterate, reinforce, and reassure us of the inseparable bonds we have with organised labour as partners in progress.

“We may have reasonable causes to disagree, which is normal in every social relationship. But we cannot afford to be at each other’s throats and neglect our common responsibilities to advance the peace, security, and progress of our State.

“Less we forget that the social contract binds not only the Government; it applies to the workers as much as patriots.”

In his address, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Alex Agwanwor, said the theme of 2024 International Labour Day, ‘People First’, reflects the leadership direction of Governor Fubara, who has continued to prioritise the welfare of workers in the State.

Comrade Agwanwor stated that the Governor implemented promotion for state and local government workers with consequential financial benefits, adding that also implemented, were payment of N30,000.00 minimum wage to LG workers, N100,000.00 Christmas bonus across board to all workers, constitution of governing councils, boards and commissions of government agencies, institutions for effective service delivery, restored functionality of basic utilities at the State Secretariat, and reopened Rivers State Transport Company (RTC).

All of these, he noted, have further motivated workers, and emboldened them to remain unfettered in their support to the success of the Governor Fubara-led Administration while increasing their productivity.

He said; “For us as Rivers State workers, we make bold to state without fear, or favour that, the present Administration of Your Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is aptly a reflection of the year 2024 theme of Workers Day celebration”.

Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Okechukwu Onyefuru, expressed delight over recent feat of Governor Fubara by increasing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N11billion to N27billion.

Comrade Onyefuru advised that with items like railways and building of refineries moved to the Concurrent List, the State Government should take advantage of this new legal framework, to further grow the State’s IGR and create more jobs for the youths.

A statement by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Rivers State, said that at the event, the State Civil Service offered the Governor gift of a Bible and portrait while the organised labour honoured him with the Labour Champion of Rivers State award for being the most labour-friendly Governor.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply