May Day: Be Responsive To Workers’ Rightsβ¦Labour Tasks Abia State Government..As Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu Supports Celebration
The 2023 International Workers Day celebration held by Abia State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress at Ibeku High School, Umuahia, themed: ‘Workers Right and Socio-Economic Justice’ was a festival of despair, sadness and pain mixed with inbuilt hope for better days ahead as they prepare to embrace the incoming government with high expectations.
The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Charles Ogbonna spared no words in lambasting the out-going government of PDP, led by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu on the sorry state of Abia workers in the state.
His offensive remarks against the current government, in the presence of the Head of Service, Comrade Onyii Wamah, who also represented Gov. Ikpeazu, received heightened background comments accusing him of being part of the system that made Abia a state of misery for workers.
Chief Ogbonna, a.k.a Evula Ogu, before his departure made a donation of Two hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira, in his personal capacity as ‘the second highest Cocoa farmer in Abia state.’
Earlier in his address, the Nigeria Labour Congress- Abia State Council Chairperson, Comrade Nweke Paschal Iheme, highlighted over 12 thematic areas of concern and neglect to be urgently addressed by Government, which includes but not limited to multi-sectoral challenges such as:
-Nonpayment of 42 months pension arrears and 21years gratuity.
-Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, 43 months salary arrears.
-Hospital Management Board-16 months salary arrears.
- Abia State University Teaching Hospital – 27 months salary arrears.
- Abia College of Health and Science Technology salary arrears.
- College of Education Arochuckwu – 32 months salary arrears.
Senior Secondary and Junior Secondary School Teachers 28 months Salary arrears and 14 months half salary arrears.
Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB)- 18 months salary arrears.
ASUBEB Headquarters – 7 months arrears.
While lamenting the pilling up of payment arrears, the Abia State Labour leader called for immediate measure to stem the ugly tide unleashing unbearable pains and sufferings on workers and pensioners.
In his response, the representative of the Governor, HoS – Onyii Wamah, noted that “dialogue is the best form of negotiations”. He said Abia state governor has approved the immediate implementation of ’65 years for teachers and 40 years retirement age for teachers alone’.
Comrade Wamah also said that Abia state 2000 housing units in collaboration with the private sector has made provision for civil servants inclusion.
He further acknowledged that “every other related issues of your welfare will be addressed. Government is continuous”.
Also speaking at the May Day event, a Labour Party leader in the state and Member Alex Otti Transition Council, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, assured workers and pensioners of a ‘new deal’ in the next phase of governance in the State.
He recalled that his parents were both teachers, their discipline and dedication to duty were key factors that moulded his view about life.
Dr. Ukaegbu, an international philanthropist of repute and business man , offered in sweet memory of his late parents, who would have been there if they were alive today, a ‘token support of half a million for the event expenses and the teachers present’.
The event was spiced up by Workers traditional columns of march pasts which had the Governor represented by HoS Onyii Wamah who took salutes, as trophies were handed to best march pasts teams on display.
VTMONEY
