For heeding the plea by Governor Umo Eno to shun the planned strike by organised labour unions over non-implementation of the new minimum wage, civil servants under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State chapter have been applauded.
At a meeting with the negotiating officials of government, the leadership of the State NLC led by Comrade Sunny James, had offered to back out of the strike, following assurance that the new wage regime of N80,000 would be implemented from December, 2024, with the November arrears.
It was learnt that the delay in implementing the new wage package followed the discovery of hundreds of ghost workers, who, the Governor explained, were behind the ongoing staff auditing and verification process to weed them out and arrive at appropriate records and budgets for genuine civil servants.
Therefore, the workers have been charged to be committed to their duties in reciprocation of the Governor’s compassionate gesture in approving the implementation of N80,000 minimum wage, with arrears.
The State’s Head of Civil Service (HoCs), Elder Effiong Essien, gave the charge while monitoring the ongoing 2024 staff verification exercise at Government House, Uyo, the state capital.
Elder Essien, who particularly appreciated the governor for his various welfare packages for workers noted that, “our amiable Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has a deep sense of love towards workers, and it is on this premise that he has given approval for the implementation of the New Minimum Wage, commencing from November 1, this year”.
Elder Essien, accompanied by the permanent secretary in his office, Doris Ikpuho, and other officials, also noted the economic significance of the new wage, saying, “the approval, which accommodates payment of arrears would make workers in the State to start the new year on a stable note.”
He appreciated the sense of maturity and professionalism exhibited by the leadership of the organised labour in the state, during the negotiation period and assured of government’s continued commitment to workers’ welfare
The State Head of Civil Service also appreciated the various verification teams for working round the clock to ensure speedy completion of the exercise.
