Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has expressed commitment to better the lot of civil servants in the state.
He made the remarks at the inauguration of the Secretariat building of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at Amarata, Yenagoa by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The Miracle Governor disclosed that his Administration has paid N20bn gratuity arrears in five years to retired workers in the state since 2020.
Governor Diri said the edifice is a testament of the harmonious working relationship between labour and the prosperity administration, stressing that more would be achieved when there is industrial harmony.
He said workers welfare will be given a top priority in his administration and promised that all outstanding backlog of arrears of retirees will be cleared before the expiration of his tenure
He thanked labour in the state for always resorting to dialogue instead of industrial action whenever there was disagreement and promised to always work with them to improve their welfare.
Governor Diri explained that the choice of Governor Siminalayi Fubara taken to inaugurate the project on the backdrop of his commitment to the welfare of workers in Rivers State who as a career civil servant attained the peak of his career.
Speaking on the issue of more homogenous states for the Ijaw ethnic nationality, the Bayelsa governor urged the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to work towards the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil River states.
He expressed displeasure over the balkanisation of the Ijaws into different states which has turned them as minorities in the states they lumped stressing that only Bayelsa was created out of the three states demanded by the Ijaws
According to him, the creation of local government areas should have been the responsibility of states based on their ability and capacity to fund the number they create and not the current situation where local governments were created by the Federal Government and funded with the resources from the states.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara while performing the commissioning ceremony lauded Governor Diri for his worker-friendly posture.
The Rivers State Governor advised labour to work harmoniously with the government, adding that they would be at the receiving end if there was industrial crisis.
He said his administration would continue to work with his Bayelsa counterpart in the interest and development of both states adding that there was friction between Rivers and Bayelsa states for 16 years but under his administration he promised to work with the Bayelsa State Government for the fact the two states are one but separated for administrative convenience and development informed the decision to settle issues out of court.”
In their joint address, presidents of the NLC and TUC, represented by former Bayelsa State NLC Chairman, Comrade Ebipre Ndiomu and Austin Jonah, respectively, said the edifice was a testament of the collaborative effort between labour and government and would be used to strategise and advance the cause of labour.
The labour leaders also appreciated Diri for his worker-friendly policies and urged workers to reciprocate the gesture through increased productivity.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Odoko Saturday Omiloli noted that the NLC and TUC complex was a double-winged and double-annexed one-storey building was initiated by former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and Prosperity Administration recognizes the importance of labour and considered it germane to started the project from where the previous administration stopped ,now commissioned.
The Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity thanked the efforts of all stakeholders, particularly the Honourable Commissioner for
Works in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and his team for working tirelessly to bring actualize the project.
He commissioning is a culmination of efforts by successive governments to provide a befitting hub for labour activities.
According to him the edifice represents Governir Douye Diri’s prosperity government commitment to promoting the welfare and well-being of workers in the state.
As we gather here today, to celebrate this significant achievement, let all labour organs and its affiliate bodies of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) reflect on the commitment, contributions and sacrifices made by the government to enhance the welfare of civil servants adding that as people oriented government, we recognize the welfare of workers and the importance of a safe, healthy, and productive work environment, and will always create a conducive environment for workers to performance.
He said the Labour House will serve as a hub for labour activities, a symbol of government dedication to social justice and equality, provide a platform for workers to voice their concerns, access support services, and engage in constructive dialogue with government and employers.
Speaking further the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity said the Prosperity Administration inherited the project and began work in December 2022 which was revalidated and awarded to Aboroebi Nig. Ltd, an indigenous Construction Company.
According to the Honourable Commissioner, the Labour House has been fully completed with all external works carried out,
double-annexed, one-storey building meant to serve as a dedicated office space for the use of the trade union organizations with modern facilities.
