The
Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano has assured that the welfare of
workers would remain one of the top priorities of his administration, preaching
the virtue of hard-work as a prelude to reward for labour. Governor Obiano was
speaking at the 2014 Workers Celebration at Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, Anambra
State.
On a day workers all over the world
remembered their past heroes who fought for the emancipation of workers and
reasonable conditions of service, Governor Obianoemphasised that from time
immemorial, hard-work had always had a direct relationship with reward.
Speaking
on the significance of the day, Obiano told the workers: “As we celebrate this
great day, we may do well to remember that no other day quite reminds us of the
symbolism of hard-work as a prelude to reward as it does. Ndi Anambra, our oral
tradition and written history bear testimony to the fact that our fathers and
grandfathers did not only believe in the dualism of hard-work and reward; they
also lived this principle out practically in their daily lives.”
Paying glowing tributes to the organised
labour for their contributions to the growth of the state, Governor Obiano
described them as the engine-room of Anambra State. Said he;“you people are the
government of Anambra State in flesh and blood. If Anambra State will succeed
as a distinctive group of people, that success must begin with you. In fact,
Anambra has no real hope of progress without your commitment and your passion!
My administration counts on your determination and efficiency to deliver the
blessings of democracy to Ndi Anambra.”
The governor further reminded the
workers that his administration was counting on them to ensure that Ndi Anambra
have a clear understanding of the policies and programmes of government and the
direction in which the state was headed.
According to him; “It is a common
knowledge that the challenge we have in Anambra State has nothing to do with
competence or absence of appropriate human capital but lack of enthusiasm and
drive. The lot falls on you to rekindle the fire in our civil service! The lot
falls on you to take home the new gospel of hard-work and reward that we preach
here today and always!
The Governor however assured the workers
that his administration would look into outstanding issues of promotion,
confirmation and other incentives that would boost their productivity.
“We shall also look into the need for
training and other capacity building programmes that will position the civil
service to drive the change we envisage. I have also held several discussions
with the Honourable Commissioner for Housing, Chief Law Chinweuba, on your
housing and accommodation needs” governor Obiano also explained while pointing
out that his efforts were directed at ensuring that no Anambrarian in the state
civil service would feel short-changed or denied a sense of belonging.
Earlier
the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Patrick Obianyo appealed to
the Governor to look into the needs of workers which include amongst other
things; proper implementation of minimum wage, outstanding promotion of
workers, and outstanding salaries of staff of Anambra Broadcasting Service and
National Light among other need.
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