Ini Billie, Uyo
The Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Sunny James has called on Governor Udom Emmanuel to address the issues of pension adjustment, gratuities, promotion and arrears payment among other things before he vacates office on May 29.
Speaking during the Workers’ Day celebration held at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Monday, James urged the governor to address the consequential pensions adjustment of retirees in line with the 2020 National Minimum wage Table, and release funds for the payment of gratuities on monthly basis to all category of workers in the state.
He also requested the release of workers’ promotion as where due, saying the ongoing teacher’s disagreement on promotion arrears of 2011 – 2016 should be cleared as has been done for another category of workers.
James further requested that the outstanding leave grant of Primary School Teachers and Local Government workers be cleared, as well as the refund of 7.5 per cent contributory pension to workers, especially Primary school teachers.
The NLC also appealed to the governor to direct the immediate payment of the four months allowance of medical doctors on houseman ship to discourage the exodus of qualified health workers to foreign countries.
In response, Governor Udom Emmanuel assured the NLC that the consequential pensions adjustment of retirees was being worked on, and all outstanding pensions and the allowances of medical doctors on houseman ship would be cleared before he vacates office on May 29.
Emmanuel stated that the disagreement on promotion arrears of 2011 – 2016 for teachers would be sorted out, adding that the government was waiting for the data on 7.5 per cent contributory pensions and would begin the process of refund as soon as the required information reaches the government.
“I had a meeting with the pensioners who brought something to my attention. I stand on my promise that we would correct those issues of the pensioners if their joint report will be ready by that Wednesday (I have called a special meeting of exco members) and they promised me that the report would be ready.
“We have done the 2022 promotion. The 2022 promotion has been signed and I would be surprised if the Head of Service has not circulated that because that should go for implementation. The 2023 promotion will be done after the appraisal of your performance in 2023. So, I can’t start now to promote you, hoping you would perform. You would perform first before I promote you.
“On the issue of leave grants for primary school teachers, since we took over government and governance, every month, the state has been intervening in helping out at the third tier of government. It is not the fault of the local government; it is the structure of our fiscal responsibility as a nation.
“Whatever we do is a sacrifice on our part that we keep intervening in the local government area. When this was brought to my notice, I said we are going to suspend a lot of projects as a state and intervene immediately. I want to believe that beginning tomorrow, people will start getting alert.
“On the 7.5 per cent contributory pensions for Primary school teachers, I have set up a committee on that, let that committee complete their own report. As I am standing here, in the past 7 years, with 11 months and few days to go, the Chairman of Labour Congress is aware, those we are able to reconcile at the state, we have paid.
“As a state if we don’t have records of you contributing in the state, under which caption are we going to pay? But be that as it may, I am going to go back and get special approval (which I have assured them) in order for us to intervene since they say they have the records, details are not necessary before the camera. But be rest assured, the Chairman of the Local Congress is working with the Accountant General, and the Local Government on this matter.
“On the houseman ship allowance from January to March, you know my passion for health. If there is one area the government has invested a lot of money, it is the healthcare delivery system. We are one of the few states in this country today that is paying health care hazard allowance to health workers. So, I don’t think the delay of one or two months should be an issue. I am sure the Commissioner will sort that out,” he stated.
The theme for the May Day celebration is “Workers Right and Economic Justice”.