The Imo State Governor was today, May 1, 2013, commended for labour friendly policies, which they crowned with Labour 2013 Award of Excellence by the Imo workers through the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Imo State Chapter, Chief Dr. R.A. Anyadike for having performed more excellently above his predecessors.
During the event, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha took the salute during the March Past. the high point of the event was the the march of the Disengaged Imolites adorned in all mourning black regalia from Abia State by Governor T.A. Orji. It was a pathetic sight to behold seeing them kneel before Governor Okorocha as their eyes right. Governor Okorocha immediately walked down from the salute box to cuddle and encourage them to move on.
The Labour through the NLC Chairman, Dr. Anyadike, however called on the Governor to revisit few areas as they concern welfare of workers in Imo State especially few parastatals were hitherto moribund that are being revived under Rochas Okorocha’s Administration, which include Concorde Hotel, Oguta Lake Resort, Imo Broadcasting Corporation, Imo Newspapers and Ada Palms now Imo Palm Plantation.
The Labour however praised Governor Okorocha for resuscitating most of the mentioned parastatals and further commended him for the massive infrastructural development with over one thousand Kilometers of Roads, some completed while some are at various stages, beautification of the State and construction of three hundred and five twelve classroom blocks in Imo State, which are equitably allocated, for which over two hundred are completed.
The Labour described Imo Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha OON and his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere MFR as labour friendly and comrades thereby calling on them to do more.
Observing the feat of Governor Okorocha, Dr. Anyadike further in his address expressed the love of the labour towards him while thanking him for being the first to implement minimum wage policy and even paid up to N20, 000, prompt payment of workers salaries, clearance of pensions of many years, buses donated to the labour, resolving Judiciary Workers’ issue, JUSUN, recalling of Imo NUJ Chairman back from Aba where he was posted out, reinstating eight IBC workers that were suspended under Ohakim’s regime at the request of NLC, construction of monumental edifices as schools, implementation of the major facets of Owerri master plan and other innovations too numerous to mention. At the mention of free education, there was a rousing ovation for Governor Okorocha with affirmative declaration of his name as Commander General of Education.
In his response, Governor Okorocha averred that any leadership without the consideration of the welfare of the workers is senseless. He said anything short of considering for the plight of the poor is tantamount to people Deceiving People (PDP).
Governor Okorocha called on the workers to show commitment and devotion as such could be an encouragement to do more. As for the Disengaged Imo Indigenes by T.A.Orji led Government, Governor Okorocha had already come up with palliatives of engaging them for some remuneration until a final solution is worked out. He reiterated his readiness to continue to manage the matter with the proposed palliatives and encouraged those affected to seize the opportunity and get themselves busy for the time being. Citing example, Governor Okorocha said Adam Palm that had existed for over thirty-two years; no one could account for any revenue generated. He wondered how wages and salaries were accumulated when the present government under his leadership has made over three billion from the same Ada Palm.
He said government will look into those grey areas and come up with resolution while promising even a better government-workers relationship.