By Samuel Ogude
The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa said the cordial relationship between the government and Labour Unions has give room for unprecedented growth and development in the Delta State.
Governor Okowa stated this today, Monday in Asaba the state capital at Workers’ Day celebration in the state. According to him, the government and labour co-operated not necessarily because of the grey areas but they are able to negotiate frankly to find solutions to what would have caused frictions between the two parties.
He said:” I am truly appreciative of every worker in the Delta State not only the resolve of workers to demand the improved working conditions and ever present agitations aimed at winning fair employment conditions including the commitment of employers to the provision of favorable clime but for increased performance and attendant higher productivity”
Governor Okowa who was represented by Secretary to State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah said the existing cordial relationship between government and labour has encouraged government to uphold its training programmes adding that, recently, the government approved new retirement age for primary school teachers in the state just he said, he expects the payment of the arrears and promotion to start in earnest.
According to him, government would always make efforts in creating jobs for youths to curb youths’ restiveness in the state saying that so far, more than 9000 youths have been trained and given starter packs to kick off their business in their respective areas of training and now employers of labour in the state.
He said:” We remain conscious of the need to create jobs for stem youths’ restiveness. This is why, we created the job creation office, more than 9000 youths have been trained and given start-up packs to start businesses in their respective choice areas. We have a pool of well -trained youths who are now employers of labour..”
While thanking Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress(UTC) including affiliate unions in the state for their sustained understanding and cooperation, Governor Okowa said it is this understanding that made the government to be focused mainly on the task ahead just as he said, workers are part of the massive victory in the last Party’s (PDP) Governorship and State House Assembly elections in the state saying, this understanding and cordial relationship should continue with the incoming Governor and his administration. He said, the incoming Governor is not only Labour friendly but understands the challenges workers face just as he assured that workers would be carried along in the discharge of his duties in the state.
He said:” I appeal to you to extend the same fellowship to the incoming Governor and his administration. He is not only Labour friendly but understands the challenges workers face and he will carry you along”. The Governor therefore expressed gratitude for Delta State workers for the years he has been in the office.
According to the Governor, the government was able open areas through the provision of good roads and urban renewal programmes just as he said, the government was able to keep the universities running even when other universities were on strike in the county and hoped that incoming administration will continue to enjoy the good will of workers in the state.
He said:” It is my sincere hope and expectation that incoming administration will continue to enjoy the good will of workers towards a steady movement of set goals”.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress Comrade Bolum Martin Nwachukwu said the state Governor did very well in the state especially in areas of workers’ welfare and human capital development which he said, characterized eight years of his administration. According to him, the robust relationship between organized labour and the government has led to prompt payment of workers’ salaries which other states did not have even in the face of economic melt- down occasioned by Covic 19; the government was to clear the salaries of the inherited unremitted Union’s dues and deductions for co-operatives which made this to stand at zero arrears; payment of promotion arrears from 2015 to 2018; the implementation of new minimum wage as far back to November, 2019 when some states even in the South are yet to commence, the construction of International Professor Chike Edoziem Secretariat among others.
According to the Labour leader, the smooth relationship between organized labour and government led to simultaneous establishment of three new universities in the state which has afforded youths easy admission; the establishment and construction of new secondary schools and Technical Colleges in the state, construction of roads among others, saying, all these and others are clear indications that the state Governor has smooth relationship with organized labour.
While thanking God for the victory of the Party(PDP) in the last Governorship and State House of Assembly elections which will usher in the Governor -Elect, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as Governor any moment from now, he said, the organized labour is obediently Sheriffied. According to him, this year’s theme of Labour Day celebration is:” Workers’ Right and Socio Economic Justice” saying, this theme is based on the ground that it is the eighth and last celebration organized labour would have Governor Okowa- led administration .
He said:”It is the eighth and last celebration organized labour will have together with Labour friendly Road Master, Governor Okowa hence, we, the organized Labour with midst feelings consequent upon, the incumbent will be leaving office in a few days. We deem it fit to limit the 2023 May Day’s speech to a reflection of our robust relationship with our Governor which translates into appreciating him …” The highlight of the May Day was Match Past of the various trade union bodies and subsequent presentation of trophies to the winners of match past amidst cheers.