– Charges Labour to embrace dialogue
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says modalities were being put in place by his administration to roll out transport palliative to cushion the high cost of transportation, caused by the removal of petrol subsidy.
Governor Fubara speaking when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state paid him a solidarity visit at Government House, said the Ministry of Transport has been engaged to introduce buses to help reduce the high cost of transportation fare currently faced by the people.
The Governor who described the effects of the subsidy removal as temporary, urged workers and Rivers people to exercise patience as relief will come at the end of the day.
He said, “Rivers State is one of the states that have implemented the new salary structure, the state is in full practice of the new salary scale, the issue of pension and gratuity are ongoing, the records are there, the issue of employment is also ongoing, we are fulfilling our part of the bargain to take care of the workers.”
The governor also announced that the Rivers State Secretariat Complex was undergoing reformation as challenges of water supply, security, power supply and other essential services were being tackled to enhance the productivity of workers.
Fubara further assured of providing a conducive working environment for both the public and private sectors of the state economy and urged the organised labour to work in synergy with the government to move the state forward.
The governor appealed to the leadership of the Union to always embrace peace and dialogue and urged them to be constructive in matters of policy as well as to make the state better.
“It’s very important for labour to have a good relationship with any administration, labour can’t work in isolation; it’s important for the present leadership of NLC in Rivers State to work with our government.”
Earlier, the Chairman of NLC in Rivers State, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, who led the delegation on the solidarity visit, said the visit was to congratulate the governor and pledge their unflinching support to his administration.
The NLC chairman said the organised labour in Rivers State was proud of the emergence of Fubara, a technocrat and career Civil Servant as Governor of Rivers State.
Agwanwor urged the governor to create a sustainable avenue for labour and government to always discuss issues that will enhance industrial harmony in the state.
“The Rivers State Governor is conversant with challenges of the public service, we want to appeal, that a regular interface be sustained between government and labour to foster industrial harmony and development in Rivers State.”
Follow us on twitter
