C/River Gov Otu restores 3,000 LG workers after talks with Labour

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the reinstatement of about 3,000 local government workers removed from the state payroll, following a meeting with organised labour.

The decision came after talks with the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) at the State Executive Council Chambers, Calabar.

The discussions covered workers’ welfare, recruitment, promotions, salary harmonisation, pensioners’ entitlements and other industrial relations matters.

The NLC leadership appealed to the governor to reconsider the disengagement of workers who had spent about two years in service, arguing that the affected persons were sons and daughters of Cross River State who had built their livelihoods around their jobs.

Responding, Otu acknowledged the human dimension of the issue, noting that “people have been used to particular remuneration” and that “to cut them off at short notice will be too much to absorb.”

He explained that his administration’s intervention in the public service was meant to correct anomalies, restore due process and ensure that employment and pay were based on appropriate qualifications and fairness.

“I want you to believe that their feelings were based on the fact that people have been used to a particular remuneration,” he said.

The governor insisted that the state must build a public service in which opportunities are shared equitably.

“Somebody cannot be a secondary school [leaver] and already be getting an appointment.

“Because you have the opportunity, that does not mean it is your family alone; others also deserve the opportunity.”

He said the government was determined to rebuild the state on fairness, productivity and shared responsibility.

“We are committed to the rebuilding of all these elements,” he declared, urging labour leaders to “join hands” with government.

“Our relationship is principally a corporate relationship,” and the administration would continue to need “maximum cooperation” from organised labour.

Otu also pointed to the state’s difficult finances, saying the government was grappling with inherited obligations and heavy recurring commitments while trying to improve workers’ welfare and develop infrastructure.

He said the administration had worked to reduce outstanding liabilities, but fresh obligations kept emerging.

“Almost every month we are taking out 300 to 600 million,” he said.

He expressed optimism that improved revenue and prudent management of commitments would enable the government to settle more of the liabilities.

The governor, who urged labour to look beyond confrontation, said, “The real foundation for the economy has been laid.”

He cited efforts to improve infrastructure, create investment opportunities, build human capacity and empower citizens, and said the state must move away from a “hand-to-mouth economy” towards one driven by productivity and enterprise.

“We must be ready to fold our shirts and take up the challenge” of rebuilding Cross River, he said.

Otu acknowledged labour’s other concerns, including outstanding promotions, salary harmonisation and the welfare of low-income workers and pensioners.

He said these would be reviewed after examination of relevant documents.

“For the other issues, I will need at least some briefs,” he said, directing labour to submit the necessary documentation while the government reviewed its own records.