My administration is that with a human face – Gov Otu
…. Announces N40, 000 minimum wage
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, says since he assumed office he has made workers welfare a top priority and ensured prompt payment of salaries considering the significant role they play as the driver of lofty projects and programmes for the common good of the people.
The governor stated this in his goodwill message on Workers’ Day during which he equally announced a new minimum wage of N40, 000 for civil servants in the state, while appealing for patience on the backlog of gratuity in the state, which dates back to 2014.
Noting that workers in the State are always held in high esteem to achieve good results, Governor Otu who is believed to have taken laudable steps to reposition Cross River and carried out reforms to entrench an effective civil service in the state, stated:
“While Workers’ Day is seen by many as a–one-day off celebration in acknowledgement of workers’ sacrifice and aspiration in the workplace, for us in Cross River State, we go beyond that. It is rather a continuous reminder of an enduring synergy between the government and its workforce in order to create wealth and improve livelihood. It is therefore a day to envision a better working condition for workers through mutual negotiation and understanding.
“Though the history of the Workers’ Day is steeped in suffering, deprivation, unhealthy working condition, poor remuneration etc., the present administration celebrates its workers by being proactive in attending to the issues that affect the workforce; which invariably motivate workers towards increased productivity.”
Dwelling on the milestones of his administration in relation to workers’ welfare, Otu said: “Prompt Payment of Salary and Pension: Since my assumption of office, the payment of monthly salary and pension to workers and pensioners has remained a first line charge in every months’ expenditure. Having considered the huge effort workers put in the implementation of government policies and programmes; and taking cognizance of the diligent service the retirees had rendered to the State and these senior citizens are now faced with some health challenges, mobility issues, hunger etc., I am morally inclined to give them this priority attention.
“So, as at today 1st May, 2024 the April 2024 salary and pension have been duly paid to every worker and pensioner in the State. The State Government is presently on the verge of concluding necessary arrangements for the staggered payment of outstanding gratuity to its retired workers. I therefore sue for a little patience from the pensioners in this regard.
“Workers’ Promotion and its Implementation: My administration is that with a human face; hence sensitive to the hue and cry of the people. Unfortunately, I met an apparent disillusioned and less motivated workforce which was a function in part, of staff stagnation on the same salary grade level for years. Alarmed by this awful situation, I immediately directed the State Civil Service Commission to conduct promotion interview in order to upgrade all deserving workers in the State up to 2023. I believe the exercise has brought some succor to the suffering workforce and serves as a catalyst for hardwork.”
Continuing, he added “I have equally directed relevant government agencies to liaise with the office of the State Accountant-General to implement all genuine promotions for the State and Local Government Workers with effect from May 2024. The slight delay in the implementation of these promotions was informed by the need to carry out a thorough clean-up of the State Payroll, of duplication and to weed out ghost workers (if any). So, after the harmonization of the payroll, every genuine promotion shall be implemented accordingly. Besides, I have further directed that the annual incremental step the State and Local Government Workers have not enjoyed for more than a decade now, should be implemented with immediate effect.”