Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara says his administration is poised to do more for workers in the state beyond implementing promotions and Christmas bonuses.
A Friday statement signed by Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Boniface Onyedi quoted Fubara as saying this when he received thousands of jubilant civil servants who thronged the Government House gate, Port Harcourt with their leadership and some members of the organised labour on a thank you and solidarity march on Friday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, the governor noted that the N100,000 given as Christmas bonus to each civil servant is unprecedented and far exceed monthly salary of some workers.
He explained that the gesture represented his administration’s commitment to prioritising workers as important partners that must be properly appreciated as a way of motivating them to be more productive.
“Within these few months of the governor being in office, promotion has been made and reflected in salary, rehabilitation work has been done at the State Secretariat Complex to provide a good working environment for workers.
“All these are possible because the leadership of labour in Rivers State is friendly. They have been supportive of every government activity,” he said.
Meanwhile, the organised labour in Rivers State promised to accord the Fubara government necessary support to deliver the dividends of democracy for the prosperity of workers and good people of the state.
Rivers State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Alex Agwanwor gave the assurance while reading a statement jointly signed by himself, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council, Comrade Chuku Emecheta, and State Chairperson of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru.
He said the current political crisis in the state poses potential threats to stability, and good governance as being provided by Fubara.
Agwanwor also said that the “organised labour wishes to appreciate His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his magnanimity in the recent promotions, including the payment of a record breaking N100,000 Christmas bonus set by the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Odili that gave civil servants N 20,000 during his administration.
“His Excellency’s humane and kind disposition to Rivers State Civil servants and his passion to uplift the fortunes of Rivers people is unparalleled. We strongly assure Your Excellency of our unflinching support and co-operations at all times.”