Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that his administration will execute excellent promotion in the State Civil Service and fulfill the pledge of employing 10,000 youths.

To fulfill the commitment, Governor Wike stated that he has promptly handed the list of Civil Service Commission members to the State House of Assembly for screening, as they will oversee the process till it is completed.

Governor Wike made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday when he received a delegation led by the chairman of the Rivers State branch of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Alex Agwanwor, and the chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Emechete Chuku.

Governor Wike accused former NLC leader in the state, Beatrice Itubo, of spreading misinformation about pensioners being owed 15 months of payments.

“We have been paying pension and gratuities every month. Not less than three points something billion Naira is set aside for that purpose, including payment of benefits.”
“In fact, the former Accountant General of the State told me yesterday that those of 2016 and 2017 have been cleared, but you hear her (Beatrice Itubo) go to say that we have not paid for 15 months. That is unfair.”
“How will a government, which has never happened in this State, that built a secretariat for NLC and TUC at the same time be anti-labor.”

Governor Wike stated that Itubo was also involved in other aggressive acts that completely damaged the formerly pleasant relationship between workers and the State administration.

Governor Wike criticized her for the delay in workers receiving their due promotion but stated that with the new NLC executive in place, workers will be promoted swiftly.

“Now that she has left, to welcome you, we are going to start the promotion process. I didn’t want her to take credit. You should take the credit.
“So, there is nothing the government cannot do for you if we have a good relationship. There is how you go about it. You don’t go about plotting against the downfall of a government that will also affect the welfare of your members.”

Governor Wike emphasized the fact of the State Civil Service having one of their own as the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate for the first time.

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The governor questioned why Rivers workers aren’t pleased and passionate about the opportunity they now have to own the electoral process and assure Sir. Siminialayi Fubara’s election.

“So, I thought that the civil service, the union ought to have taken it up themselves to say this campaign is our own, that we are getting one of us now who will be in charge of the affairs of this State.
“The deputy (running mate) is also experienced in civil service jobs. She has also been a permanent secretary, became a commissioner, and was a lecturer.”
“We don’t need to come and speak to you. You are the ones to take it upon yourselves. Can we miss this opportunity now?”
Recalling his experience, Governor Wike said: I am not a civil servant, so, it even took me time to understand the rudiment of civil service bureaucracy and all that.”
“Now, this is somebody who has passed through these levels; from the junior cader up to senior cader to Permanent Secretary and become Accountant General. So, who is more qualified to preside over the State?”
“It is not all these people who are in private businesses. Private business is not public service. When you come in, you’ll know it’s a different ball game.”

Governor Wike has advised Rivers workers not to support Tonye Cole, the Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC) member who, in collusion with former Transportation Minister Chibuike Amaechi, sold Rivers assets and is now facing prosecution over the $50 million earnings from that sale.

Rivers NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, stated in his address that his executive committee was elected two days ago and that they presented themselves to the governor and vow their devotion to his administration.

He lamented the strained relationship between the government and Rivers workers. Nonetheless, as progress partners, he pledged that the NLC in the state will correct the wrongs and return to the path of cooperation in order to attract better working conditions.

Comrade Agwanwor promised that Rivers workers would rally behind Sir Siminialayi Fubara as the next governor of the state.

Also speaking, Rivers chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Emechete Chuku, acknowledged the Wike administration’s unequal infrastructural development strides and expressed regret that the old NLC leadership could not maintain a cordial workers-government relationship.

He commended Governor Wike for routinely paying workers’ salaries, commencing pension payments, and clearing up to batch 2014, and promised that workers in the state would be mobilized to deliver winning votes to Sir. Siminialayi Fubara as the state’s next governor.

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