Workers’ Day: Okowa appreciates workers, urges support for governor-elect

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has appreciated the workers under the auspices of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for the sustained support over the past eight years.

Okowa who currently is on pilgrimage to Israel, was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, on Monday at an event to mark 2023 May Day (Workers’ Day) in Asaba.

Our correspondent reports that this year’s commemoration has as its theme, “Workers Right and Socio-Economic Justice”.

The governor said that his administration had made good progress due to the cordial relationship it had with the worker’s unions; NLC and the TUC.

He, however, urged the unions to extend the same hands of fellowship to the incoming administration of Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor-Elect.

He said that when labour unions engaged in frank negotiations, it would be reflected on the economy as improved productivity.

Okowa assured that the next administration of Oborevwori-led government would no doubt listen to the labour demands and address the issues therein.

He said that his administration had archived good success on opening rural roads and connecting communities; functional health insurance scheme; approved new retirement age for teachers; and trained and empowered over 9,000 youths via skills acquisition programmes.

According to him, government has been steadfast in the payment of workers’ salaries and recently has approved the payment of their promotion arrears.

While wishing the workers a successful Workers’ Day celebration, Okowa thanked the leadership of NLC and TUC and appealed that they extend the same support to Oborevwori, the incoming governor of the state.

Earlier, in a joint address, the State NLC Chairman, Goodluck Ofoburuku, and Martins Bolum of the TUC, lauded the Okowa-led government for workers’ welfare, human capital and infrastructure development.

They noted that the year’s Workers’ Day celebration was unique as it marked the last that the labour-friendly Gov. Okowa would attend as governor after eight years in office.

According to them, the celebration is that of appreciating Okowa for the robust relationship with workers and not time to reel out litany of demands before a man who had done so much for workers and will be leaving office soon.

The unions counted as worthy the robust relationship with the Okowa administration, regular payment of workers’ salaries, payment of promotion arrears and implementation of new National Minimum Wage

“Also, the new state secretariat, the establishment of three state universities, technical colleges, road networks and bridges linking various communities, monthly funds allocations to Local Government Areas to settle pension matters and sundry interventions.

“As the baton of governance is about to be transferred to Chief Oborevwori, our single and humble request is that your Excellency should handover the cordial relationship you had with the organised labour to the next administration,” the unions said.

Our correspondent reports that the event was marked with the usual match past by industrial unions who chanted the labour solidarity song while gifts were presented at the end of the match past.