…You’re most worker friendly Gov- Says NLC boss Nwigwe
By Iheanyi Enwerem
Civil servants in Imo State who gathered in their colorful attire at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square,(formerly Hero’s Square),New Owerri, to observed May 1,Workers Day celebration, went home disappointed, as Governor Hope Uzodimma kept mute during his address on their promotional arrears been owed to them by his administration.
Uzodimma, who made pronouncement of the promotion of civil servants in the state in June 2022,had earlier informed the workers that his administration will offset arrears of the promotion in April 2023,they waited patiently without any update. In September 2023 during a Statewide broadcast to Imolites, the governor again asserted that it will be paid before the end of the September which never happened.
The workers had expected the governor to speak on the delay of their arrears but he never said anything,Ikorookigwe.com gathered that they workers left the premises in a sad mood cause their expectation was not met at the epoch event.
One of the civil servants who spoke on condition of anonymity to our correspondent angrily, said ” I don’t think this administration has any plans for civil servants, we are celebration workers day when we are yet to receive our April salary. Since 2011 our salary has not increased till date, even with the current economic hardship”.
The governor in his address noted that his administration will not condone with civil servants who abandon their duties for business, according to him civil servants must show value and productivity in their civil duties for the State.
“I want value addition and productivity from workers, you can not be a Civil servant and yet still have a store in Eke Onuwa market. Civil service goes with dignity, you can not be a civil servant and a petty trader”. Uzodimma
He highlighted the achievements of his administration in the sector which includes; provision of free bus transit for civil servants,free health insurance, promotion and prompt payment of salaries of civil servants in the state, as he echoed that no worker in Imo State is receiving below N40,000. On the implementation of minimum wage the governor emphasized that immediately the National committee setup by FG concludes with the amount that should be added, he will be the first to implement it.
Earlier in his address the State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress,NlC, Comr. Chigemezu Nwigwe, described the Governor as most friendly to Imo workers citing the renovation of the State secretariate, restoration of Labour industrial peace/order ,promotion of workers, approval for immediate payment of gratuities to retired pensioners, payment for free health care insurance, among others.
On issues of concern, Nwigwe appealed to the Governor to see to the implementation of the financial effect of civil servants promotion, “We therefore passionately appeal to Your Excellency for immediate implementation of the financial effect of the promotion since 2022”.
He commended workers in the state for their steadfastness in the leadership of the union despite challenges.
Highpoint of the occasion was a match pass observed by workers in the State, as Governor took a salute.
