Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that no amount of intimidation, provocation, harassment or sabotage will change the focus of his administration in working for the interest of Rivers people.
Fubara, who made this declaration on Wednesday at the Yakubu Gowon Township Stadium, Port Harcourt, during the 2024 May Day celebration, also donated the sum of N100 million to the organised labour to support the Workers’ Day celebration
While acknowledging the power of the people, the governor said despite his government being troubled, he will not lose focus because of the power of the people, which is the determinant of government.
He said: “We have promised you service delivery and nothing will change it. It is our promise here again to the people of Rivers State and the Nigerian Labour Congress and the world that we will remain focused.
“I reassure you that our faith in God is strong and with Him on our side, there is no challenge that we cannot overcome. And it is important for us to work together to defend the collective interest of our state and advance the well-being of all.”
Fubara hinted that he was committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters were made available.
The governor stated that as a listening government, he was aware of the common concerns and demands of labour on the urgency of stimulating economic growth and improving the living conditions of the people.
He reiterated the importance and relevance of workers to the implementation of government’s policies and agenda for economic growth, provision of infrastructure, social progress and advancing the welfare and well-being of the citizens.
He said: “I have also directed and ensured the implementation of the minimum wage and promotion of our workers in the local government service.”
Earlier in his address, the chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, commended Governor Fubara for attending the Workers’ Day celebration and being labour-friendly, assuring of the Union’s avowed support to the administration at all times
Agwanwor stated that the theme of this year’s Workers’ Day, ‘People’s First’, was unique as it amplified the significance of people in the socioeconomic development of society.
Describing workers as significant stakeholders in the Rivers project, the NLC leader said Governor Fubara has given hope to workers in the state through the prioritisation of their welfare and called for a more robust relationship between the government and organised labour.
On his part, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman, Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru, expressed gratitude to the governor for his concern to Rivers workers’ welfare.
Onyefuru called on the governor to compel international oil companies (IOCs) who tap into the state’s resources to move their headquarters to Rivers State and urged the Rivers State government to invest in intra-rail services to boost economic development in rural areas.