By Francis Sadhere
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been described as a man who has within a period of 100 days pragmatically demonstrated his readiness to transform the state and build capacity through his SMART agenda towards achieving the objective of prosperity for all Deltans.
Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, Comrade Williams Akporeha made this remark when he spoke to journalists at an event recently in Asaba.
Comrade Akporeha noted that the first 100 days of Governor Okowa has left no one in doubt about his avowed commitment to initiating and implementing people oriented programmes. “In fact, the SMART agenda truly underscores the interest of His Excellency, Governor Okowa’s determination to build entrepreneurs to mop up youth unemployment and lift the state economy”.
The Labour leader also noted that “it is indeed very delightful and commendable to know that our Governor has decided to run an all-inclusive system of governance by involving professionals and technocrats from all tribes and parts of the state”.
On workers welfare, Akporeha also gave Governor Okowa kudos for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries. “Let me say that another high point to note within this first 100 days of Governor Okowa in Delta state is his total commitment to the payment of workers’ salaries as at when due even as he has also began efforts to clear months of unpaid salaries”. He however appealed that this gesture should be extended to local government workers who are being owed salaries for several months.
The NLC Chairman appealed to the Governor not to forget the payment of backlog of pension arrears to retirees. “As I speak with you now, unpaid pension in the state is pilling while retirees are groaning beneath”. “So, I want to use this opportunity to appeal Governor Okowa to also consider the plight of retirees in the state”.
Comrade Akporeha drew the attention of the state government to the persistent practice of casualization by private sector employers particularly oil multinational companies. According to him,” the state government need to stop Chevron and its contractors from further mindless institutionalization of slave labour, adding that, “the management of these multinationals have continued to engage workers on less than acceptable work conditions”.
The NLC henchman expressed optimism that at this pace, development in the state is surely heading for unimaginable heights with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the driver’s seat. He therefore reinstated the preparedness of labour in working harmoniously with the state government towards the continuous industrial development and harmony in Delta State.
