Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a move to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and industrial harmony, Rivers State Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has met with leaders of organized labour unions in the state, assuring them of accelerated interventions across key areas affecting civil servants.
The high-level engagement opened a channel for frank dialogue between the government and labour leaders on longstanding worker-related issues, with the Administrator listing concrete steps already taken and others underway to address them.
Ibas noted that the Rivers State Government has maintained a consistent policy of promptly paying salaries and pensions to both active workers and retirees.
According to him, his administration has approved the payment of salary arrears owed to newly employed staff at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, assuring that medical workers in the Local Government Areas, who had faced wage discrepancies, will now begin receiving correct salaries in line with approved scales.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources.”
Ibas at the meeting also announced the reintroduction of subsidy intervention buses to ease workers’ daily commute, with expansion plans underway.
Key highlights from the meeting include timely salary and pension payments, clearance of salary arrears, minimum wage compliance, pension reforms, gratuity and pension adjustment, transportation support and capacity building.
“The state is reviewing challenges with the Contributory Pension Scheme in advance of the July 2025 compliance deadline.”
Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, lauded the Administrator for his proactive steps on workers’ welfare and practical efforts to ease workers’ transportation burdens.
“We appreciate your openness to dialogue and your genuine concern for workers. These steps show clear intent to deliver on promises,” Agwanwor said, pledging the union’s continued cooperation for the state’s development.
