Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has restored about 3,000 local government workers who were earlier removed from the State’s payroll. This decision was made after an extensive engagement with organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Cross River State chapters. The meeting provided labour leaders an opportunity to present their concerns directly to the Governor.
The Governor’s decision followed a frank and comprehensive discussion on workers’ welfare, recruitment, promotions, salary harmonisation, pensioners’ entitlements, and other matters affecting industrial relations in the State. The NLC leadership particularly appealed for the reconsideration of the disengagement of workers who had already spent about two years in service. They argued that the affected persons were sons and daughters of Cross River who had built their livelihoods around their employment.
Governor 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 would be too much to absorb. He explained that the administration’s intervention in the public service was motivated by the need to correct anomalies, restore due process, and ensure that employment and remuneration were founded on appropriate qualifications and fairness.
The Governor emphasised that the State must establish a public service in which opportunities are distributed equitably. He said his administration was determined to rebuild the State on the principles of fairness, productivity, and shared responsibility, rather than perpetuating practices that could undermine the public service. He appealed to labour leaders to join hands with government in the task of rebuilding Cross River.
Governor Otu also drew attention to the State’s difficult financial circumstances, explaining that government had been grappling with inherited obligations and substantial recurring commitments while simultaneously trying to improve workers’ welfare and develop infrastructure. He expressed optimism that sustained efforts to improve revenue and manage existing commitments would enable government to address more of its outstanding obligations.
The Governor urged labour to look beyond confrontation and become a partner in the State’s development. He pointed to the administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure, create investment opportunities, strengthen human capacity, and empower citizens. He declared that the State must move away from a “hand-to-mouth economy” towards one driven by productivity, enterprise, and sustainable opportunities.
The meeting provided an important opportunity for both sides to better understand the issues, resolve outstanding concerns, and strengthen the partnership between government and organised labour. The Governor directed labour to submit necessary documentation on other concerns presented, including outstanding promotions, salary harmonisation, and the welfare of low-income workers and pensioners, while government would equally review its own records.
Key points
- Governor Otu restored 3,000 local government workers after a meeting with labour leaders.
- The Governor aims to rebuild Cross River on fairness, productivity, and shared responsibility.
- The State faces difficult financial circumstances with inherited obligations and substantial recurring commitments.
