The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Akwa Ibom has said that they would only support governorship candidate who would meet their demands as contained in a 5- points charter.
Chairman of NLC in the State, Comrade Sunny James stated this in his address during the 2022 workers’ day celebration in Uyo on Sunday said the union would invite all governorship candidates to the Labour House after their primaries to deliberate on items that would bring good governance to Akwa Ibom people.
The chairman who emphasized that the union has agreed that workers and their families would only support a candidate who would improve the living wages and prioritise workers’ welfare listed the items on the charter to include; living wage and prioritisation of workers welfare, education, healthcare, industrialisation of the state economy and physical security, social protection and good governance.
“A few days ago as part of the activities to mark 2022 Workers’ Day, Organised Labour in the State held a Workers’ Political Conference with a major Agenda of unveiling the Charter of Demands to the public as our expectations from the upcoming or would-be leaders in our State.
“The conference resolved to invites all flag-bearers of Political Parties after the primaries to Labour House for adequate engagement on our Charter, in order to deliberate and exchange their manifestoes and establish time-lines on all items which will bring the needed good governance to our people.
“It was also agreed that only the Candidate that honour our Invitations and agreed with workers to resolve issues as contained in our 5-points Charter, shall be supported together with our familles during the elections of 2023. No longer shall workers sit on the fence.” He explained.
The chairman urged Gov Udom Emmanuel to assent to all pending and sensitive bills that had been passed by the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly without further delay.
According to him, the bills include; the Youths Development Fund Bill and Bill Establishing Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, among others.
The union further called on the state governor to liaise with relevant agencies and commence the full implementation of financial autonomy of Local Government, Judiciary and the Legislature in the state.
Gov Udom Emmanuel who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo in his remarks, commended labour for their support and resilience to enhance the development of the state adding that without the collaboration of workers the state government would not have achieved the giant strides it has recorded.
“On behalf of Government, I commend Nigeria Labour Congress and workers for the industrial harmony in the state. The giant strides we have recorded would not have been possible without you,” Emmanuel said.
In his goodwill message, Sen. Ita Enang, urged workers to support the candidate that will take workers welfare as priority pleading with them to support his governorship ambition as someone who has the interest of the down trodden at heart.
“I have come to tell you that the time of workers lamentation is over. I treasure the workers because they greatest resource of production.” Enang said.
In his goodwill message, Mr Onofiok Luke, member representing Etinan federal constituency in the National Assembly thanked the workers for their resilience in this trying times stressing that he remained the best for the workers in next year’s gubernatorial election.
