President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has lauded the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for his efforts at improving workers welfare in the state.
Speaking when he led the top leadership of the NLC on a courtesy call to Okowa on Thursday, in Asaba, Wabba noted that the governor has “raised the bar in workers welfare” adding; “you (Senator Okowa) as a governor is labour friendly, your open door policy is unparalleled and unprecedented.
“I believe that this is the whole essence of governance because, governance is about the people; when we came into Delta State, we first tried to find out the conditions of the workers and pensioners and we have also put into account the development of the state and I must say that the news and the information we have gotten is very cheering.”
The NLC President spoke further; “Here, in Delta State, salaries are being paid as at when due, pensioners receive their pensions as at when due as well, and you have extended a lot of assistance to the local governments from the state coffers; this is really unprecedented and importantly, I was informed about the warm relationship between the state government and organised labour; there has been regular interaction between government and labour where the challenges of workers are brought up and solutions offered; this kind of relationship is one that other state governments need to emulate.”
Comrade Wabba who commended Governor Okowa for the level of development in the state, added, “here, in this state (Delta) workers are treated well and they are happy and I want to assure you that we are not unmindful of the things that you are doing for labour and we have said this openly that where workers are appreciated and treated well, we will reciprocate and give support to the government and where workers have been turned to slaves and a lot of reasons given why workers issues cannot be attended to when we know for sure that there are clear provisions made to cater for such issues, we will also demonstrate our will to continue to engage the system.
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“Today there is peace, stability and development in the state, all major events are brought to Delta State because of the fact that there is peace and stability in this state; we have realised that where there is leadership by excellence, the difference will be very clear, so, I want to thank you and encourage you to keep up the good work as those that are ready to support the minimum wage, we will support them as well.”
Wabba explained that they were in Asaba for the quadrennial delegate conference of the Union of Hotel and Personal Services Workers.
In his response, governor Okowa appealed to the organised labour to ensure that the interests of lower level workers are well catered for while addressing the issues of minimum wage.
He urged them to always champion the issue of good governance, democracy and elections, stating: “You should suggest ways to improve governance and build a better Nigeria; the organised labour can form a think tank that will render advice to government without blowing it up in the media.
“As a government, we are committed to the welfare of our workers; we appreciate the workers for the stability they brought to government during our trying times
