Darlington UDOBONG
To mark the 2019 Workers’ Day Celebration and show his labour-friendly disposition to workers in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel has lauded workers for being instrumental to the sterling progress and development of the state right from its creation.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, at a pre-worker symposium organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Manpower Planning at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo, Governor Emmanuel said his administration “is committed to the welfare of every worker in Akwa Ibom State.”
In his keynote address, the Commissioner in the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Manpower Planning, Barrister Ekong Sampson, said the “theme of the symposium, the Akwa Ibom Worker in the Emerging Age: Harnessing Value and Opportunity, is quite apt, considering the relevance of labour to the building of an economy,” adding that “the viability of an economy largely depends on the efficiency of its workforce.”
He commended the organized labour in the state for being a dependable ally to the government with the ultimate aim of building a resilient economy and stressed that the “benefits accruing from the engagements between the government and labour must be mutual. This is simply so as the productive world has moved from pity to value.”
Barrister Sampson maintained that “workers must be ready to add value to the system. They should be willing to utilize opportunities and support the system. Considering the Akwa Ibom model, Governor Udom Emmanuel is already keeping to the social justice aspect of labour engagements.”
“Governor Udom Emmanuel has readily put in place a conducive working environment for workers. This can be seen through prompt payment of salaries, on-the-job motivation and round-the-clock upgrading of workers for more productivity, among others. The opening up of the state via industrialization has brought food to the tables of more Akwa Ibom people,” he added.
The Commissioner, who also charged workers in the state to realize that there is dignity in labour, said the commitment and contributions of a worker truly defines the worker’s value.
In his goodwill message, the House Committee Chairman on Labour and member representing Urue Offong Oruko in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Archibong Asuquo, urged workers in the state to be firm in their support to the administration of Governor Emmanuel to move the state forward.
Goodwill messages were also given by Chairmen of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Akamba Awah and Comrade Sunny James.
The event had Professor Peter Essoh as Guest Speaker and Dr Aniekan Brown, Dr Francis Etim, Dr (Mrs.) Happiness Oduk, Dr Gabriel Ukpe, and Dr Dorothy Umotang as discussants.
