We ‘ll Not Owe Workers, Pensioners -Wike

Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Barrister Emma Okah (left), chatting with the President of MOSOP, Mr Legbosi Saro Pyagbara, during the 23rd anniversary of Ogoni Day in Bori, recently

Rivers State Governor,  Chief Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the resolve of his administration to promptly pay salaries and pension of both civil servants and retirees in the state.
Speaking at the inter-denominational church service to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Diobu, yesterday in Port Harcourt, Wike said he will always give priority to workers’ welfare.
He declared: “I will not construct any road, if civil servants and workers are not paid”.
The governor also said special attention will be given to retirees and other pensioners, and therefore, called on the Federal Government to ensure that the welfare of ex-servicemen are addressed.
Wike expressed the hope that President Muhammadu Buhari as an ex-Servicemen will do all in his powers to ensure that those men of the Armed Forces who served the country are taken care of.
The governor reassured that the armed forces and ex-servicemen require special prayers following the sacrifice they have made to unite and ensure peace in the country.
“It’s important for us to remember the services and the role they played for Nigeria to be still united. We owe them because they sacrificed for the country”.
He also assured that government will continue to partner with the church in the bid to move the state forward.
Earlier in his sermon, Archbishop of Province Niger Delta and Bishop of Niger Delta North Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey had congratulated men of the Armed Forces for the sacrifice they have made for the country.
Kattey observed that the current onslaught to rid the North East part of the country of terrorists has shown that the Armed Forces are ready to secure the unity and peace of the nation.
The Anglican Bishop enjoined the governor and those in authority to ensure that men of the Armed Forces are well taken care at all times.
He also reminded those in authority to know that God controls the universe, and should therefore, lead and govern with divine precepts.
The church service was attended by top military brass and commanders in the State, commissioners, and other government functionaries.
Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike urges priority to welfare f military declared that the welfare of families of slain military personnel and surviving retired military personnel should be given top priority by relevant authorities.
Wike said that the nation needs to cater for all serving and retired military personnel who have scarified to protect others in the country.
He noted that it is important to always celebrate the soldiers who lost their lives defending the nation while others were pursuing their personal endeavours.
He said: “If we see what happens in the North East, then we will always appreciate these military personnel anytime we see them.
“If you see people who have volunteered to join the security forces when others are scared of making the sacrifice, we need to pray for them”.
The governor said that he is aware that the Federal Government is working hard to ensure that military pensioners are paid their entitlements as at when due.