By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
One of the frontline governorship candidates in March 18 elections, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), has assured the workers in Akwa Ibom State of improved welfare, timely promotion and prompt payment of gratuities to their retired former colleagues.
At a consultative meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday in Uyo, Akpan popularly known as OBA, said his government will bring an end to the days of neglected working conditions, unpaid pensions and gratuities; non-promotions and lack of regular training for civil servants.
While acknowledging the prevalence of hunger and poverty in the land, OBA promised to reintroduce the 13th month salary payment, enjoyed when he was the Commissioner for Finance under Governor Godswill Akpabio’s era.
“I am here to tell the workers that all shall be well. The welfare of workers is key in our Positive Impact Agenda”, he said, promising to restore the lost glory of the working class in the state.
To ensure effective and proper implementation of issues concerning the workers, the Senator promised to appoint a commissioner from among them.
He also promised to expand the state secretariat to accommodate all government offices to reduce government expenditure on longer rents.
The Senator also pledged to ensure massive and steady generation of power to cover the entire secretariat, so workers can operate in comfort for higher productivity.
OBA reasoned that effective implementation of the free and compulsory education in the state will further increase the welfare of the workers, as the burden of payment of school fees will be taken off them.
He promised to bring back the days of free, compulsory and effective education, once enjoyed in the state, with payment of subventions to heads of schools; regretting a situation some pupils study on the floor as witnessed in trending pictures of a school in Four Towns, Uyo.
While charging the workers to vote for YPP on March 18, 2023, OBA said: “I present myself to you as the best alternative…support me for YPP to win and your life will never be the same again”.
He expressed the belief that God kept him to face the challenges of today so Akwa Ibom people can experience a better tomorrow, adding that no prize is too high for him to pay for the freedom of his people.
“The choices we make today will determine what will become of the welfare of the workers tomorrow”, OBA said, assuring them of frequent training and retraining for improved manpower.
His mandate, he added, hinges on the premise of 3Rs – to recover, reconcile and reposition Akwa Ibom for future greatness; submitting that “the latter reign shall be greater than the former”.
Earlier, the chairman of TUC Comrade Dominic Abang, while welcoming the Senator, had expressed happiness that he could eventually consult them, despite his tight schedules.
Similarly, the chairman of NLC, Comrade Sunny James, commended OBA for his keen interest in the welfare of the workers and urged him to ensure full implementation of his lofty plans for them.
He later presented a Charter of Demand to OBA, urging him to ensure that the workers are carried along the in-coming government.
