By PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has said that he will commission a medium housing unit for workers in the state before end of his tenure on May 29, 2023.
Governor Emmanuel who stated this while addressing workers in the state during this year’s international Workers’ Day Celebration in Uyo on Monday, said the housing scheme when commissioned, will delight workers as he leaves office on May 29.
The governor, who did not mention the location of the workers’ housing unit nor how many houses are involved, however, assured workers that a lot of work has been done on the project and it would be ready for commissioning before 29th of this month.
“Let me reassure you, the chairman of NLC, that before I leave office on May 29th, I will commission a medium housing unit scheme for workers. You might not know that we have gone far.
“As at today, we have done a lot of unit. I don’t want to give you the figure so I might not be wrong but trust me we will commission it before I leave office”. Governor Emmanuel assured.
He explained that his administration in the past eight years have been so personate about the welfare of workers, therefore won’t stop at doing anything within his power and resources available to please them.
The governor who was full of praises for workers in the state, said the support and cooperation his administration enjoyed with the labour unions, sued for continuous co-operation and partnership.
He promised to give prompt attention to the demands as raised by both chairpersons of Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in the state.
Earlier, the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Sunny James in his address, lauded Governor Emmanuel’s efforts to improve the condition of workers in the state.
James noted also that the last four years have tremendous with the governor meeting several workers’ demands, including prompt payment of salaries, pensions to retirees and being the first state in the country to implement the national minimum wage etc
The NLC Chairperson, however listed other demands to the governor and appealed to him for urgent intervention for continuous smooth industrial relations environment in the state.
These according him, include consequential pension adjustment of retirees; timely promotions/arrears: leave grants; refunds of 7.5 per cent contributory pension to workers and release of official cars/buses to Unions among others.
Recall May Day which is also known as the International Workers’ Day is yearly celebration to commemorate the Haymarket Square Massacre of 4th May, 1886 which led to the declaration of May Ist as International Workers’ Day.
The day also celebrated to show the high point of the recognition of the role of workers in building and sustaining the social and economic systems of the world
Commemorating the day continues to embody the aspirations, commitments and sacrifices of workers for dignified livelihood, decent wages, pristine working conditions, inclusive development and fair stake in the reward of surplus value created by workers.
Highlights of this year’s celebration with the theme “Workers’ Rights and Socio-economic justice”, were presentation of goodwill messages, march past by various labour organisations/trade unions including Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ) which came second after the National Association of Nurses and Midwives that took first position.
