Chairmen of Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Emohua local government councils, Barrister George Ariolu, Engr Samuel Nwanosike and Dr Chidi Lloyd, respectively, have advocated for improved collaboration and partnership between governments and workers to further bring about sustainable development and good governance that would improve the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
They said their administrations were vehemently committed to service delivery, adding that they have put in place worker-friendly policies that have ensured prompt and regular payment of salaries and other entitlements.
They boasted that the councils have recorded more tangible and demonstrable dividends of democracy to show, and described the relationship with workers at the areas as cordial.
Ariolu, who was represented by the Obio/Akpor Council Secretary, made this remark in a ceremony organised by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), while addressing workers at the Council Headquarters in Rumuodomanya.
According to the chairman, workers have continued to enjoy a more robust, friendly and crisis-free relationship which has precipitated increase in productivity and efficiency.
He further disclosed that his administration has provided conducive working environment which has given rise to more workers’ friendly policies.
He added that the 2022 workers day commemorates a celebration of courage, patriotism, tenacity, nationalism and dogged determination of Nigerian workers and unionists in the fight against oppression, victimization, repression, persecution and negligence orchestrated by the bad leadership of APC-led Federal Government.
Similarly, he questioned workers patience to be tied to the apron stake of irresponsible leadership of a government that is unconcerned about the welfare and wellbeing of its citizens, urging them to get their PVCs, be prepared to vote out the current leadership and vote in a government that will stand firm to extinguish corruption, value human lives instead of cows and respect rule of law, equity and justice, which according to him, is the emphasis of the 2022 workers day theme, “Labour, Politics and the Quest for Good Governance and Development”.
While lambasting the APC-led Federal Government over the continuous strike embarked upon by ASUU, banditry, insecurity, terrorism, inflation, food scarcity, amongst others, he assured workers that his administration instead of dwelling on existing standard would continue to implement programmes and policies that would continue to improve the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
Ariolu while commending workers, beckoned on workers to continue to partner and cooperate with his administration in moving the local government and state forward in terms of development.
Also speaking while addressing workers at the council headquarters at Isiokpo, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, described Nigerian workers, especially workers of Ikwerre LGA, as passionate and dedicated individuals who always put in their best while discharging their duties.
He stressed that May 1 was set aside to celebrate workers due to their important roles in the economy, adding that they were the engine room in government’s functionality.
Nwanosike assured the workers that he would continue to work hand-in-glove with them in bettering the lives of Ikwerre people, saying that this year’s theme, “Labour, Politics, and the Quest for Good Governance and Development”, was apt.
He called on workers to keep supporting him in the fight against oil bunkering and social vices, noting that a healthy environment guarantees longevity.
In his remarks, Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Dr Chidi Lloyd, congratulated workers in the area for their hard work and resilience since the inception of his administration.
Lloyd thanked EMOLGA workers for cueing into his administration’s vision of repositioning the area and changing the narrative about the area, with a view to making it stand out in the comity of local government areas in Nigeria.
He enjoined workers to live up to expectations as partners in the development of the area.
“As Nigeria commemorates this day, I want to specially congratulate every worker in Emohua Local Government Area for their hard work and resilience since the beginning of our administration.
“Some of you have cooperated with us and cued into our mandate of making Emohua the LGA to reckon with in Rivers state and Nigeria at large.
“As the theme of this year’s International Workers Day goes, ‘Labour, Politics, and the Quest for Good Governance and Development’, I want to enjoin all workers in Emohua LGA to bear in mind that they are largely responsible for the development of our LGA and as such they are expected to take their duties seriously.
“As the saying goes, “the reward for success is more work” we are not to relent or stop at the achievements so far, there is still a lot to do in building our LGA
“More importantly, in the phase of the war against oil theft and oil bunkering in Rivers State ably led by the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, we want to ask that every worker in Emohua makes this fight to stop oil bunkering their topmost concern and support us.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring a serene environment for all resident and those doing businesses in Emohua LGA, and we will not stop chasing these unscrupulous workers of doom who think they can make our LGA a hub for lawlessness and illegality”, Lloyd said.
He further wished all workers in the area a happy and peaceful 2022 workers day celebration.

By: Nelson Chukwudi