Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that his government is at peace with the leadership of the Organised Labour and will stop at nothing in supporting them to defend the interest of the workers, particularly in Imo State.
The Governor spoke on Monday when he received in audience the new Executive members of the Organised Labour in Imo State who came to pay him a courtesy call at his office in Government House, Owerri.
This is as the Governor has given indication that baring any unforseen circumstances, he will, this week, commence payment of gratuities to the retirees in the State.
The Governor, according to a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, is considering payment of the the gratuities to the retirees from today, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 to coincide with this year’s Workers Day on May 1, 2024.
While receiving the new Executive members of the Organised Labour in the State, Governor Uzodimma thanked them for coming and congratulated the new officials for being found worthy by their different affiliate unions to lead them.
Expressing his administration’s willingness to work together with the Labour Unions, Governor Uzodimma urged them to support government in her efforts as regards the discipline of workers and generally, their behaviour.
The Governor decried past developments that tended to portray the government as not friendly with the national leadership of Labour, saying “there is better understanding now,” and that the leadership has also seen that “we are better off working as a team.”
He, however, accepted the request of the Organised Labour to host their Convention in Imo State at a later date in the year, promising that the government will be happy to see that the Convention, if hosted in Imo State, will be better compared to the other ones they held elsewhere.
Governor Uzodimma singled out the leader of the team, Comrade Uche Chigaemezu Nwigwe for providing honest and sincere leadership and urged the entire Organised Labour leaders to “work together, reduce their greed and increase their tolerance.”
Earlier, Comrade Nwigwe thanked the Governor for his generosity and kindness to the workers in Imo State, citing free transportation, free medical care, civil service reform, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, promotion of workers, and recently, readiness to pay gratuities to retirees.
He assured the Governor that they are willing to work with him to achieve the peace he desires for Imo State.
Comrade Nwigwe used the opportunity to invite the Governor to this year’s Workers Day on May 1, describing it as “the workers own Christmas.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other top government officials joined the Governor in receiving the Labour leaders.
Gov. Uzodimma gave the indication that he would start payment of gratuities to retirees on Sunday at the Imo State Government Banquet Hall while making remarks on the sidelines of a sudden birthday lunch organised by him and his wife in honour of his Chief of Staff, Barr. Anyaehie.
Speaking on two major issues he said he is desirous of leaving a resounding legacy, stressing that it is his desire to ensure that Imo State generates her own power in line with the master plan of late Governor Sam Mbakwe, as a way to help stimulate the economy of the State.
Also, he spoke about a reformed Civil Service where the workers will be proud to put in their best while still in Service, with the hope that on retirement, they will reap the benefit of the efforts they invested working for the government by receiving their pension and gratuities promptly.
Governor Uzodimma did not only pledge to tackle both issues with zest, but proceeded to announce his readiness to commence payment of gratuities to retirees from today, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 when he thinks the processes for disbursement to the recipients would be ready.
It was a pronouncement that caused thunderous applause for the Governor, and interjection on his remarks by the guests, including by members of the Organised Labour in attendance who lauded him for his people-oriented programmes and policies since he assumed Office as Governor in 2020.
To further reassure the retirees of his readiness to commence payment, Governor Uzodimma said he has been saving money in a dedicated account tagged “gratuity” since 2020 when he took over power, and that he has resisted every pressure on him to tamper with the account until now he is confident there is enough money in the account to start dealing with the issue of gratuity.
“I am not borrowing money to pay. I have been saving money in a dedicated account which I call gratuity, sometime N200m, at other times N100m, since 2020. I have resisted all pressures to tamper with the account and I can confidently say now that we have up to N10 billion in the account to start payment of gratuities,” Governor Uzodimma explained.
However, he said retirees who manipulated their data so as to be paid more money as gratuity when they retired, contrary to what their true record shows, will have to be paid exactly what is due to them based on the accurate government records of time for their employment and when they retired.
“We have a system that will sort all that out. So, this observation is necessary to guard against unnecessary expectations from those who retired, for instance on Grade level 10 but went and collected document or letter indicating they retired on Grade level 15,” Governor Uzodimma noted.
He thanked the leadership of the Organised Labour in Imo State for their understanding of the plight of the government as regards sincerity of purpose on issues of the workers and their welfare and promised not to disappoint their expectations.
Governor Uzodimma who said the birthday lunch in honour of Anyaehie was like a “coup” himself and the Her Excellency plotted, used the opportunity to wish his Chief of Staff well and to thank Imo people for their support always.
Earlier, Anyaehie who described Governor Uzodimma as his father and mentor said in his 61- years, this was the first time he was ‘cutting a birthday cake in public.”
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the wife of the Governor, Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Uzodimma, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, members of the Imo State House of Assembly, members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional rulers, HRH Eze EC Okeke, among others.
