Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has appealed to the workers in the state to extend the same cordial relationship they had with his government in eight years to the incoming administration of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
The Governor who stated this on Monday while addressing workers during this year’s May Day celebration at the Cenotaph, Asaba, the state capital, expressed optimism that the Governor-elect will carry the workforce along as he understands the challenges faced by the workers in the state.
The Governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah at the 2023 Workers’ Day which the theme: “Workers’ Rights and Socio-Economic Justice”.
“Great workers of Delta State, permit me to use this medium to express special thanks the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress including their affiliate unions in the State, for their sustained understanding and co-operation which made us focus mainly on the tasks at hand.
“No doubt, workers were also part of the massive Victory Our party garnered during the last governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the State. We sincerely hope this love and understanding will underline your working relationship with the incoming administration.
“Dear workers, I sincerely appeal to you to extend the same hands of fellowship to the in-coming governor and his administration. He is not only labour friendly, he truly understands the challenges workers face and I assure you that he will carry workers along. Please adopt the same calm disposition during negotiations.
“It is my sincere hope and expectation that the incoming administration in the State will continue to enjoy the goodwill of workers to ensure a steady movement towards the achievement of its set goals,” said Okowa.
Congratulating the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC and other Affiliate Unions on the Workers’ Day celebration, Governor Okowa said his administration will continue to put the interest of workers in the state first till the very last minute of his administration.
Okowa hailed the leadership of the Unions in the state for always engaging in dialogue in resolving issues that relate to the welfare of workers.
According to him, “The smooth relationship we enjoyed is not because of the absence of grey areas but we were able to engage in frank negotiations and solutions were found. I am truly appreciative of every worker in Delta State.
“Dear Comrades, May Day reminds us of the resolve of workers to demand not only for improved working conditions and the ever present agitation aimed at winning fair employment conditions including the commitment of employers to the provision of favorable clime for
increased performance and the attendant higher productivity.
“No doubt, the existing cordial relationships between workers and
the government have encouraged government to uphold its welfare and
training programmes. Recently, the State government has approved the new retirement age for primary school teachers while I expect payment
of arrears of promotion to start in earnest.”
In his remarks, the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State Council, Comrade Goodlock Ofobruku while commending the state workers for their service for a better society equally hailed the state Governor for the robust relationship with organized labour in the state.
He commended the state Governor for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and the construction of the Prof Chike Edozie Secretariat which he described as the Governor’s value for workers in the state.
