...The coming of Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi in 2015 brought an upsurge of hope and a huge sigh of relief for the State workers as His Excellency, made it quite categorical right from his electioneering period and in his inaugural address, that his administration would be built on a divine mandate programme that would not only give Ebonyi people a state capital that they all would be proud of, but will also, initiate policies and programmes that would better the lots of the workers, Comrade (Mrs) Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor writes this piece on 2021 International Workers' Day.
It reads: Workers Day otherwise known as May Day, or Labour Day, is a day set aside by the International Community to mark the gains and achievements made by Labour Unions and celebrate the dignity of labour and the importance of the workforce all over the world.
May Day, Workers Day or Labour Day which usually holds on the 1st day of May every year, emanated from the struggle of the workforce when the eight hours work a day was first introduced in the United States of America in 1886 after the riot that is today referred to as 'the Haymarket Riot' in Chicago USA which claimed many lives.
From that time till date, the yearnings for better wages and improve conditions of service have lingered, as evident in the recurrent workers agitations, protestations and industrial actions, particularly, among the poorer nations of the Third World Countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Here in Nigeria, the scenario is not quite different. Several labour unions have often complained of their employers' inability to pay commensurate salaries and wages promptly, as well as, others conditions of service, including payment or retirement benefits, entitlements and gratuities. Some also complain that the requisite paraphernalia for their smooth offices administration are not released regularly and as at when due.
In Ebonyi State however, the coming of Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi in 2015 brought an upsurge of hope and a huge sigh of relief for the State workers as His Excellency, made it quite categorical right from his electioneering period and in his inaugural address, that his administration would be built on a divine mandate programme that would not only give Ebonyi people a state capital that they all would be proud of, but will also, initiate policies and programmes that would better the lots of the workers.
In keeping to his promises, His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi first introduced a policy that ensured that every Ebonyi worker receives his or her salaries between the 15th to 20th day of every month. With this initiative, the hitherto, recurrent complaints of late payment of workers salaries in the state, was permanently laid to rest.
Again, worried by the non conducive nature of the offices housing most of the ministries in the state, Governor David Nweze Umahi decided to complete all inherited projects from the previous administration at the Ochudo centenary city and facilitated the immediate relocation of workers to the more spacious and conducive work environment at the new Secretariat. Today, all the ministries have decent and spacious environment conducive enough to accommodate them. This move, to say the least, was part of the saving grace of the state during the hit of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic.
Similarly, the relocation of the workers from the various ministries which were hitherto scattered across the state capital to the centralized and befitting Ochudo Centenary city, again, came with the attendant challenge of transportation for the workers; the state government wasted no time in procuring four Macapollo Innoson luxurious buses to ease the transportation hiccups of the workers.
As more number of ministries moved to the Ochudo Centenary City, His Excellency Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi decided to provide more means of transportation for the workers, this time, by procuring over 35 numbers of electric-powered tricycles to convey workers to and fro the state Secretariat. This initiative affords the state workers cheaper, safer, faster and a more reliable means of transportation to and fro the workplace.
Another area where the present administration of Engr. David Nweze Umahi deserves a pack on the back as workers celebrate their day today, is in the introduction of the “Second Address” programme for the State Civil and Public Servants. A policy that makes available a single digit interest loan to workers in the state to enable them engage themselves in other meaningful ventures that would make them less dependent on their monthly emoluments. This initiative of his Excellency Engr. Umahi has made it possible for the state workers to engage in businesses and farming activities of their choices, and through this, live a more accomplishing and comfortable lives.
On the part of the pensioners and retirees, the present administration in the state has also, always ensured that retirees receive their pension regularly and promptly.
Worthy of mention also, is the fact that it is on record that Governor David Nweze Umahi was the first Governor of the South East Nigeria, and among the very first in the entire country to pay the Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000.00) National minimum wage to our workers. A situation that prompted the state workforce to brand him with the title ‘Enyi Ndi Oru 1’ (which means the number one workers friendly governor). This has also differentiated the state from others where their workers resort to strike before they get what is due to them.
In all, as the state workforce, join their counterpart across the globe to celebrate the International Workers Day today, the Ebonyi state government heartily felicitates with Ebonyi workers on this their auspicious occasion.
Coming at a time when our dear state, Ebonyi and our nation, Nigeria is seriously confronted with the problem of insecurity calls for a sober reflection and a reinvigorated comitment and patriotism on everyone to fight this monster that threatens all of us.
Again, the Ebonyi State workforce must be reminded that if the state government must achieve as much as it sets to achieve under Governor David Nweze Umahi, the workers have got a huge role to play. They must first and foremost, learn to shun all forms of negative tendencies towards their duties. The perennial eye service syndrome must cease with forthwith, so also, must the ghost workers practice, age falsification, bribery, truancy, lateness to work, and early departure from offices, among other negative work attitudes must be eschewed.
Retirement from service should be accepted in good fate. Falsification of age for self perpetuation in office must be a thing of the past. Incidents of deaths and resignations should always be communicated to the appropriate authorities, and must be properly documented to avoid sabotaging the good intentions of the state government for the workers. This is no doubt, one surest way of making spaces for our teeming unemployed youths to replace the vacancies. But in a situation where the government hears of vacancies but the monthly wage bills of the workers remain static from year to year and even increase from time to time does not portray the true state of things.
Indeed, Ebonyi State workforce has a lot to celebrate and continuously being on same page with the Divine Mandate Administration of Engr. David Nweze Umahi will make life even better for all us.
Congratulations Ebonyi workers!
Congratulations to the Workers friendly governor!!
To God be the glory!!!
Comrade (Mrs) Jennifer O. Adibe-Nwafor is the Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State on Inter-Party and Labour Matters.
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