Comrade Williams Akporeha is the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council. In this interview with our crew of Tejiri Ebikeme and Francis Sadhere, he spoke on various issues ranging from the achievements, aspirations and constraints of the NLC in Delta state.  EXCERPTS:

How have the activities of NLC in Delta State impacted on the state
workforce?

Let me start by saying that the organized labour is the engine room of economic and human resource development by government. Therefore, activities of labour are primarily hinged on the principle of a commitment to the struggle to ensure government and employers do the needful in order to build not only an expanded industrious workforce but also desirable work conditions for the continuous functionality of the engine room.

Now, in Delta state, the prevailing industrial harmony can be directly attributed to our determination and preference to dialogue before issues get to boiling point. And to achieve this, we have always deployed a diplomatic stratagem that ensured that while we are pushing for improved wages and conditions for workers, the engine of state is not short-circuited. We are also leveraging on the magnanimity of His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, who has been so far, so wonderful on issues relating to labour. At every bend, the governor has prompt personal mechanisms that ensured the issues are amicably resolved. He is also not too ‘Executive’ to appeal for time where necessary. The state workforce appreciates his disposition to labour and has continued to show understanding and cooperation.

That is not to say however that there are no pending issues between government and labour. One outstanding character of the state NLC is the confidence with which all issues are not only promptly brought to the attention of the governor but persistently followed through notwithstanding the presence of some distasteful impediments within the links. Although, the required action from government may not be immediate, the approach has built trust between the state workforce and NLC leadership.

Also, let me state that as with every large organisation, the state NLC has had its share of dissents. Again, it is this trust and confidence on the leadership that has kept the organised labour in the state as one indivisible unit in the face of concerted efforts by certain elements within and outside to infuse divide and rule.

On the whole, it is safe to say that our activities as Congress has positively impacted on the state workforce as partners with a common vision and aspiration to secure a resourceful, dependable and sustainable workforce as well as work place for the overall development of the state.

How has the NLC fared in Delta state under your leadership?

Ok, but in all modesty, I would prefer an appraisal of my leadership by the state workforce and the general public. However, to answer your question, I will request that you permit me to leave the details for posterity but let me just mention a number of programmes and incentives which are verifiable as the dividends of the NLC under the present state council. Again, in highlighting the successes of the state NLC so far under my leadership, credit must first of all be given to the State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (CON), who has never withhold his cooperation whenever Congress gets the opportunity to knock on his door.

Recall that I took up the leadership of Congress in late 2011 and in my first May Day speech in 2012, Congress highlighted the plight of casual workers in the state, appealing fervently to the State Governor to take up measures that will end casualization of workers.  You will also not forget that as we were ready to press the government further on this same request preparatory for 2013 May Day, in fact, my speech had gone to press on the eve of May Day when suddenly the State Governor announced the regularization of over 1,000 casual workers within the state Ministries, Directorates and Agencies (MDAs).

So, although we are still pushing for the regularization of the remaining number of casual workers both in the public and private sectors in the state, this particular event remains very remarkable to the leadership of Congress in the state.

Let us also remember that the state government in 2012 donated ten buses to
labour to provide transportation for workers at zero fare as palliative to cushion the impact of the partial fuel subsidy removal by the Federal government. Then, in 2013, the NLC leadership in the state requested and secured another ten buses from the state government for industrial unions. However, it must be said that the delivery and operation of the 2012 batch through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations, is a topic for another discussion.

Again, through our consistent interaction with the state government on the need to create employment to fill existing vacancies resulting from promotions, retirements and deaths, the Governor approved recruitment into the state civil service early this year. At the moment, I am sure the state
government is tidying up the technical areas for a smooth recruitment exercise.

Furthermore, the present leadership of Congress in the state has been able reach consensus with government on early implementation of the minimum wage though with little variation which is currently being rectified between
government and Congress.

It is also worthy to note that before now, state workers were groaning under the burden of over taxation due to computer errors but through effective intervention and dialogue with government by the present leadership of Congress, refunds were made to all those affected by government.

I must also mention that the struggle for prompt payment of pensions to retirees is also on the front burner among the issues on the discussion table between government and Congress.

Let me also say that through effective collaboration between Congress and the State Government, workers in the state now earn their monthly salaries on as at when due basis. In addition, I want to personally commend the State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (CON), for graciously approving the much needed 13th month salary as end of year incentive for the state workforce.

There are a number of other items on our checklist that Congress is presently discussing with government. But above all these, Congress has attained unity like never before even in the face of unpretentious divisive elements.

Chairman, the NLC State Executive Council meeting of August 7th 2014, resolved that the State Governor should review the appointment of his SA Labour and Industrial Relations; don’t you think it’s a tall call?

Not at all, it is not a tall call. Events leading to that resolution left us without an option. Now, let me tell you, NLC is not anybody’s surname and no one man can drag that name and its activities to disrepute. In fact, what happened on August 7th was historical and an affirmation of the unparallel unity that I mentioned earlier. That resolution was unanimous and unambiguous as some of the events that took Congress to that height were highlighted in the resolution.  Having said that, I was however very surprised to read a news report published recently by Vanguard newspaper and credited to the State Chairman of the TUC, Comrade Myke Arinze, describing that resolution as ‘uncalled for and a witch-hunt’ without any recourse to the issues raised by Congress. Really, which aspect of the issues can any right thinking person classify as witch-hunt? Is it the confiscation of ten buses donated by the State Government to assist workers’ Mass Transit Scheme in 2012 at the detriment of workers? How can it be said that Congress is witch-hunting a man who now takes undue advantage of his position to run the Congress from his office?  So I am really shocked about the sudden outburst of Comrade Myke Arinze and one is tempted to conclude that he is either an accomplice or he is outrightly insensitive to the plight of workers in the state.

Let me make it categorically clear that even before Congress issued that August 7th resolution, it gave the SA Labour every opportunity to turn away from his gross anti-Congress conduct but he had remained unyielding.  Indeed, Congress holds Mike Okeme in very high esteem as a former state chairman and therefore explored all internal avenues including seeking the interventions of the State Governor and the National  Secretariat of the NLC in Abuja as well as other state labour veterans to dissuade him but he ignored all entreaties. Rather, he resorted to grandstanding to undermine Congress Leadership to create the impression that after him, congress leadership no longer matters.

It is very important to state here that the August 7th resolution is not in any way directed at the genuine intentions of the state government that created the Office of SA Labour to the State Governor but suffice to say that Congress remain very grateful to His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (CON), for graciously creating the office of Special Adviser on Labour and Industrial Relations. For us in Congress, that office ought to be a bridge to provide soft landing for a robust government and labour partnership to further the interest of the state workforce and government.

However, congress has observed that the individual manning the bridge presently has constituted himself as a barrier thereby making the bridge unsafe for Congress to use. In other words, if the job description for that office includes erecting unwarranted barriers to stop even correspondences between labour and government, usurp the functions of State Administrative Council of Congress and cause avoidable acrimony within labour in order to bring labour movement to its kneels in Delta State as is being demonstrated by Mike Okeme, then Congress stands by its resolution of August 7th 2014.

Overall, what is the aspiration of the present Leadership of the NLC in Delta State?

The struggle continues. Labour Leadership in the state is entirely dedicated to the sustenance of industrial harmony while struggling to secure desirable welfare and work conditions for the state workforce as well as a satisfactory post service conditions for retirees.

Yes, while Congress will continue to appreciate the state government for successes recorded so far in its partnership with labour, there is indeed a lot of ground to be covered. But I don’t have any doubt whatsoever that very soon, by the special grace of God and the wisdom of our labour friendly Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel shall become visible for workers and retirees in Delta state.

At the moment, Congress is seeking the attention of government to a number
of unresolved issues. In particular, Congress is very worried that government seems to have reneged on its determination to clear the backlog of unpaid pension benefits to retirees through a monthly release of N1.5billion from Internally Generated Revenue. So, as I speak with you, unpaid pensions in the state are pilling while retirees are groaning beneath.

You see, I used the phrase ‘Congress is very worried’ because of the great danger the situation portends not only for retirees but also the state workforce.

Naturally, workers dread looking forward to bleak retirements, so while we struggle to reduce the sufferings of our present retirees, we fear for the state of mind of those who are still in service. The inherent fear factor being the knowledge of the sufferings ahead and this can demoralize a worker. As we all know, a demoralized worker is directly proportional to diminishing productivity at the expense of the state.  So, I use this opportunity to again appeal to government to give priority to offsetting pensions backlog and secure the future of would-be retirees in the state.

I want to also identify mass unemployment as one the major concerns of Congress in Delta state. At every opportunity, Congress has always encouraged government to explore the full advantage of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) provisions to create the enabling environment that will endear investors to the state which is also in tandem with the administration’s programme to nurture ‘Delta State Beyond Oil’ to generate employment and wealth creation avenues for our youth. I believe it is within the purview of the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry to device means of extensive awareness creation to promote the economic potentials of the abundant natural resources such as rubber and timber as well as coconut trees along the shorelines within the state to woo investors.

A sincere commitment to the pursuit of the Public Private Partnership is fundamental to the realization of the objectives of the Delta Beyond Oil initiative while relieving the burden of youth unemployment from the government at the same time.

While I commend the achievements of the state micro credit scheme, I must not fail to say that it is time to expand the scheme through the Public Private Partnership initiative. The current structure of the scheme is largely tied to the operative principles of Cooperative Society. But even at that, Congress is desirous to see the establishment of cottage industries in the state by these cooperatives to expand wealth and employment creation.

In addition, Congress has also drawn the attention of government to the need to resuscitate some of the ailing industries in the state to assist tackle unemployment.  Industries such as the Delta Steel Company (DSC) Ovwian Aladja, African Timber and Plywood (AT&P), Sapele, Asaba Textile Mill, Asaba, Delta Glass, Ughelli and Bendel Steel Structures, Enerhen among others provided direct employment and engaged service providers beyond the state during their active days.

I can tell you that Deltans are really eager to see this productive aspect of the state come alive again. However, where intervention or outright take over by government is constrained due to ownership and shareholders liquidity, government can extend tax rebates and other such incentives to facilitate revival.

What is the status of Labour/Government Relationship?

Oh, very warm and cordial. To say the least, I am overwhelmed by the labour friendliness, unassuming humility, simple but firm disposition of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.  In fact, I cannot but advocate for his successor in 2015 to have similar character traits so that government can continue to be available and accessible to the people. Sure, the relationship is good but can be better. There is room for improvement. I truly appreciate the efforts of His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (CON), for his genuine and modest intentions even in the midst of landmines planted by certain individuals to undercut the importance of Congress to the development of the state.

To be specific, Congress should have unfettered access to government leadership whenever necessary to review and update labour related issues as
they arise. This is important and not peculiar to Delta state because government can only achieve improved productivity when workers are aware that government shares and cares for their concerns and aspirations. This can only be possible through regular and sometimes unscheduled sessions with Congress leadership.

Advise for Workers in the state?

Yes, I’ll like to salute the courage of all workers in the state for their resilience and determination to stay in the struggle. I am indeed very impressed as their solidarity has given Congress Leadership the guts to wade through the temptations to weaken labour movement in the state by some persons for personal gains.

I enjoin everyone to remain steadfast and above all continue to be productive. Congress leadership is now more focused and determined than ever before to stand by the state workforce in our collective resolve to secure and sustain the dignity of labour and bequeath a befitting work and work conditions for the development of our state and the benefit of future generations.