C’River TUC Says Otu One Year In Office Remarkable
Ebi COLLINS
The Cross River chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC ) has commended the achievements of Gov. Bassey Otu within his first 11 months in office.
The Union noted that aside his commitment to workers welfare since he assume office, the governor has also done well in the area of road infrastructure, especially in Calabar metropolis.
The TUC Chairman, Mr Monday Ogbodum, who made the commendation in an interview in Calabar, however urged the governor not to relent in ensuring that his ‘people first’ matra continually be is guide in his bid to proving better life for the people of the state.
Ogbodum particularly commended Otu on his drive to fix the decaying infrastructure across Calabar metropolis, noting that the roads rehabilitation and construction within the Calabar metropolis, improving street lighting as well as traffic lights, have all added value to the restoration of the aesthetic beauty of Calabar.
Speaking on workers' welfare, the TUC Chairman said Otu, within the space of 11 months in office, have restored workers trust on the executive government of the state.
He said that the workers of the state were not only demoralized within the last eight years, but lost all sense of belongings owing to the ineptitude of the immediate past administration in the state.
He further commended Otu's administration on the N40,000 minimum wage, implementation of annual incremental steps, full implementation of 2014/2016 promotions, the Christmas and Easter bonuses paid to workers amongst others.
He, however, said there is urgent need for the state government to fulfill other obligations to civil and public servants, particularly payment of backlogs of gratuity.
“The issue of gratuity and the other demands which we have tabled before the governor is what we want to appeal for to be looked into urgently.
“we want to believe that doing so will help improve on the economic wellbeing of the workers as well as the retirees especially in the face of the present economic situation in the country.
"We appeal for cooperation and patience from the people of the state and workers alike for the government to continue with it’s good work in the state, " he stated.
