Anambra State workers under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has unanimously ratified and endorsed Governor Willie Obiano’s second term aspiration.
The organised labour also bestowed on Obiano the award of best labour-friendly governor of Anambra state since the creation of the state.
The endorsement and recognition accorded the governor by Anambra workers were not unconnected with his giant strides and monumental achievements in the state in the last 3 years.
Comrade Jerry Nnubia the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Anambra while presenting his May Day address at the Alex Ekwueme Square Awka said Obiano has not relented in paying workers’ salaries as at when due including other benefits that accrue to workers in Anambra state.
Nnubia said that workers’ welfare occupied the front burner of the present administration, which according to him was the remote reason why the state work force bestowed on him the award of the best labour – friendly governor.
Although the state NLC boss made mention of some pressing issues facing Anambra workers, prominent amongst the problems has to do with declaring a state of emergency regarding the upward review of workers’ salaries and incentives .
He however expressed confidence in the ability of the present administration to address issues relating to workers’ welfare package .
Responding, Governor Obiano thanked the leadership of the organised labour in Anambra for finding him worthy of the award of best labour – friendly governor in Anambra since the creation of the state.
Governor Obiano stated that his administration has continued to pay salaries and pensions together with other incentives irrespective of the present economic recession in the country.
He maintained that workers’ welfare will continue to receive priority attention in his administration. He further disclosed that he has directed the chairman of civil service commission to commence the process of salary increase across board .
Although Governor Obiano noted that the issue of salary increase was subject to increase in the state internally generated revenue.
He said that Anambra state was currently generating about 1.5 billion naira but expressed confidence that the IGR base would increase to about 2.4 billion naira; which according to him would form the basis for increments in workers’ salaries.
To this end, the governor stressed the dire need to block all leakages in the system to ensure that tax-payers ‘ money do not get into wrong hands to enable the state increase her revenue base .He equally assured workers in the state that before the end of the year, about 100 people of the state workforce would be proud owners of their own houses as first batchof the 1000 housing units for civil servants would be ready for use.
The governor therefore thanked the state workforce for the endorsement and for believing in his administration while urging them to participate actively in the on-going nationwide voter registration exercise to enable them obtain their voters’ cards and vote him for a second term in office come November 18th, 2017.
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