From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Following the recent salary increment of staff of Enugu State Civil Service and other workers across the state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, workers have assured the governor of dedication to duties through improved productivity in order to actualize the goals of the administration.

The jubilant workers who spoke through their leaders, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Ben Asogwa, yesterday, gave the assurance in their separate speeches at the 2024 Resumption of Year Prayer held at the State Secretariat, Enugu.

The NLC State Chairman, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, applauded Enugu State workers for their attitudinal change to work since the inception of the present administration, stressing that the governor has restored hope of the workers through improved welfare package, better working environment and implemented wage award.

According to him, “Workers in Enugu State are glad and happy with the governor and his administration. His Excellency has promised that as soon as he is dropping the ₦25,000 wage award, he is picking the new minimum wage”.

The NLC chairman, however, disclosed that labour leaders were working hard to bring parastatals into the mainstream of the civil service so that the issue of disparity within the service would be solved.

He extolled the governor over the ongoing revolution in infrastructures such as road construction and reconstruction, construction of smart school system, overhauling of the health sector, environmental sanitation and cleanliness, availability of water supply, among other development and social service projects.

On his part, the TUC chairman appreciated the State Government for the cordial relationship that exists between the Government and the workers, adding that the governor would continue to enjoy the support and cooperation of workers in the state because of the initiatives of his administration which are impacting positively on workers’ welfare.

“Your Excellency, the workers are ready. We are out to support this government. The workers are diligently ready and committed to help drive the policies of your administration. We are going to be more productive, as productivity is the main part of the framework that would enhance our collective success,” he stressed.

He further assured the state government of workers’ commitment to improve service delivery through measurable outputs, saying he was optimistic that workers would do their best for the progress and development of the state.

Speaking, the governor stressed that God has been merciful to the state and its people, saying that the grace of God is sufficient for the people and prayed for good health, wisdom, peace and strength over the government and the people living in the state to discharge their responsibilities.

“Every day we come here to work, we must pray. We pray for protection, for promotion, pray for the growth of Enugu State,” he said.

Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, said the administration had taken measures to improve the productivity of workers in the state even as he promised to continue to do more.

While commending the relationship between the labour unions and the state government, he said, “We’ve been partnering Labour leaders so that you will become part of the optimization. We have been engaging Labour leaders and were able to achieve what we had been able to achieve”.

He called for increased collaboration among workers, urging them to work hard to achieve the transformational agenda of the administration.

He said the administration was mindful of the inflation and increasing cost of living in the country and would continue to improve workers’ standard of living.

“I want you to understand that His Excellency is not averse to helping the workers improve their welfare. We are in Nigeria, and we understand the cost of living. We understand inflation. When we hear of potholes in revenue, we want to increase the revenue in Enugu State so that the workers in Enugu will be one of the best paid public servants in Nigeria,” he added.

While stating that security has improved significantly in the state which makes it the safest state for investment and business in the region, he recalled that on assumption of office, he promised to provide the people with sufficient potable water in 180days and it was achieved, explaining that over 60 thousand cubic meters of water are generated daily even as old and burst pipes are undergoing replacement to capture more areas.

He urged the workers to work towards achieving the target of the 2024 budget, tagged ‘Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth’, saying that the actualization of the budget would improve their wage packages, transform the state and make it an investment hub.