DELTA STATE CIVIL SERVANTS HAIL OKOWA ON WORKERS' WELFARE.

By: Okowa Reloaded

Asaba - Delta State civil workers under the umbrella body of Amalgamated Union of Public Primary Secondary Schools and Local Government Workers (AUPPSSLGW), has commended Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for enhancing the welfare of workers in the state.

The National President of AUPPSLGW, Mr. Emuobosan Dennis made this commendation when he led the state executive of the union on a courtesy visit to the Governor to register their pleasure on the simultaneous payment of November and December salaries despite the delay experienced in November salary resulting from reconciliation of conflicting figures by handlers of the TSA that affected FAAC.

Delta State and Local Government workers through the union's executive, commended Governor Okowa for the prompt payment of workers salaries especially that of November and December which some state governors are yet to offset.

The Union noted that, such gesture by the governor, made the Christmas celebration a joyous one for the workers and their families.

The Union during their chart, applauded Governor Okowa for being an outstanding workers friendly governor despite the harsh financial status of the nation's economy, noting that, a good administrator's competence is not determined by rosy economic times, but in challenging economic times.

It noted that Gov. Okowa has earned Deltans' confidence and trust through his sincerity and prudent management of  resources in payment of salaries, running of government and execution of meaningful projects across the state during the excruciating phase of the recession when many state governors wallowed in the burden of workers' salary backlogs and absence of infrastructural projects on the excuse of paucity of fund.

On local government workers, the group who acknowledged that, though it is not the prerogative of the governor to pay local government workers salaries, but in furtherance of their appreciation of the governor's release of almost a billion naira that settled two months salaries prior to the Christmas, appealed to Okowa to continue with his good gesture in augmenting the treasury base of local government to enable it service their workers salaries since their wage bill is far above what accrues to the local government for effective service delivery.

Responding, Governor Okowa appreciated the union for deeming it fit to appreciate the state government's efforts in this regard.

Governor Okowa who expressed shock at the Union's visit and content of their message, noted that, their gesture was rare and described it as a welcome development unlike the past where union were manipulated, sponsored and used against the government with a view to inciting workers and the masses against incumbent.

He commended them for distinguishing themselves as people with better understanding of the situation of the nation's economy which hitherto, has affected growth and development, but here in Delta state, we have remained focused as a people elected by the masses to alleviate their sufferings. We will continue to do what is right to please Deltans.

Payment of workers salaries is a priority for any reasonable government as we are doing in the state and that tempo must be sustained as the major source through which majority of families survive. He reiterated.

The Governor who thanked the union for their enlightenment, promised not only to sustain his administration's efforts to ensure that the joy of Deltans and workers through prompt payment of salaries and even distribution of infrastructures across the state, but to also partner with the local government arm to see that with time, the issue of local government workers backlog become history and while we work on that, the state will stop at nothing but the best.