Gov Fubara assures Rivers workers of wage increase

Port Harcourt -- Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara says he is committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters are made available.

Governor Fubara also 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.

The governor made this declaration at the Yakubu Gowon Township Stadium, Port Harcourt during the 2024 May Day Celebration, where he announced a donation of N100 million to organised labour in the state.

Fubara noted that as a listening government his administration is 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 emphasised that from the beginning of his administration he had promised to be labour friendly as his primary constituency and assured that he will not renege but continue to look after the well-being of the workers within the limit of available resources.

The governor expressed concerns over the poor state of the nation’s economy, especially the continuously rising inflation and its impact on the purchasing power and well-being of the average worker and their families.

"Let me assure you that we are going to work with the Federal Government to implement necessary measures, including the continuation of the free bus services and the provision of necessary palliatives to ameliorate the current hardship faced by ordinary citizens.

"We are also committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the Federal Government as soon as the parameters are made available," the governor said.

Earlier, the Rivers State Chairman of Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru, lauded Governor Fubara for increasing the state’s internally generated revenue from N11 billion to N27 billion.

The TUC chairman appealed to the governor to use his good offices to compel international oil companies not to move their headquarters out of the state, while also thanking him for mediating in the industrial dispute in Indorama Petrochemical and Fertilizer Company

Also, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Rivers State, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, pointed out that the theme of this year's Workers Day, “People's First” was unique as it amplifiers the significance of the people in the socioeconomic development of the society.