Civil servants In Rivers State have applauded Governor Nyesom Wike for the giant development strides of his administration, particularly in the area of infrastructural development like road construction in several parts of the state.
The workers, who made the commendation under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) in the State, commended the governor for the recent commissioning of several road projects in several parts of the state.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chuks Osumah, who made the remarks while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday said by embarking on the construction of six flyover bridge project at the same time was an indication that Governor Wike was capable of accomplishing any assignment he sets his heart on, and noted that by doing so, the Governor has etched his name on the marble.
He also applauded him for building befitting secretariats for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress in the State.
“ Infact, I know that he built secretariats for the NLC and the TUC. I don’t know where his current problem with labour is coming from but as a father, which the Governor is, I feel this is the time for us to drop our chairs and work together,” he said.
Osumah, however, appealed to Governor Wike to promote workers in the state whom he alleged have been stagnated for several years, stressing that giving attention to the welfare of civil servants would further boost the political profile of the Governor, and applauded him for tirelessly striving to make the state better than he met it in 2015.
On promotion, Osumah said, “Civil servants in the state are begging the Governor to promote them. If you are a civil servant and you are promoted adequately, as a career civil servant, you aim to where you will retire. And when you are not promoted, productivity and morale will be low. That is why we are pleading with the Governor to please promote the civil servants. We know he is a man with human feelings. Let him forget whatever issue he has with labour. He is the father of all civil servants. Let him also know that there is no family in the state that does not have a civil servant”.
Osumah equally appealed to the Governor to inaugurate the tripartite committee to work out the template for the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage to the workers, stressing that the state has the capacity to implement the new wage.
Osumah also pleaded with Governor Wike to pay retired civil servants in the state their gratuity, which he described as starter packs for the civil servants.
He also appealed to the Governor to renovate the state secretariat complex, going by his promise to use construction giant, Julius Berger for the job.