RSG Promises Payment Of Workers’ Benefits

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the implementation of all agreed statutory benefits to workers in the State.
The Rivers State Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, made the pledge during a courtesy call by members of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) in his office in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He assured the union that the government of Governor Siminalayi Fubara has a human face and is ready to meet the legitimate demands of workers in the State.
According to Nwaeke, the state government will soon implement all statutorily agreed financial benefits to all workers as long as those benefits are being enjoyed by their counterparts at the Federal Government level.
The Head of Service revealed that Fubara will soon constitute all commissions and boards yet to be constituted to enable them conduct promotion interviews for staff that are due.
He added that the Fubara administration has zero tolerance for undue victimization of workers in the State.
The Head of Service, however, cautioned against a situation where employees tarnish the image of employers through unfounded allegations or bad publicity, warning that anyone caught doing that will be handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.
He advised the union to always dialogue with the Management of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to fine tune the modalities for engagement of internships for deserving dental therapists.
Nwaeke also assured of government’s unwavering partnership and urged the union to work assiduously to make the State a progressive haven for everyone.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Union, Mr Otaraku Jonathan Oye, had congratulated the governor on his electoral victory at the Supreme Court.
He also congratulated the Head of Service on his appointment by the governor.
Oye thanked the governor and the HOS for the Christmas bonus enjoyed by workers in the state describing it as unmatched.
The chairman used the occasion to enumerate series of problems affecting his members which includes non promotion of senior cadre of staff in the last promotion exercise due to absence of a constituted board.
He intimated the HOS on the difficulties faced by members to access internships at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital as dental therapists.
Oye further stated that his members were yet to benefit from the newly approved hazard allowance which has taken off in many states in the federation and pleaded for consideration of his union.
He assured the HOS of full allegiance of his union to the policies of the State Government in order to move the State forward.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Office of the Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, thanked the union for the courtesy visit and wished them God’s guidance.

John Bibor