As Senator Ifeanyi Okowa bows out of office after eight years as Governor of Delta State, the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has applauded him for his labour friendliness which endeared him to Delta workers.
Reflecting on the relationship between the outgoing Governor and the organized labour, the State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Bolum Nwachukwu, said Delta workers were happy with Okowa for his efforts to deliver economic gains, multiple infrastructural development, job creation, among other achievements, despite the global economic crisis that affected a greater part of his administration.
Comrade Nwachukwu noted that Governor Okowa had sustained not just job growth and low unemployment rate, but also the commitment of his administration to prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, which had kept the state workers and their families afloat since the last eight years.
The labour leader stated that Governor Okowa worked harder than ever to move the state forward, created economic security, incredible productivity, wealth and innovations that had been the hallmark of the state’s economy.
The State TUC Chairman thanked Governor Okowa for creating a cordial working relationship with workers in Delta state, pointing out that the Governor led a great state in a part of the world that was changing for the better.
Comrade Bolum said TUC in Delta recognized and appreciated Okowa’s leadership, his understanding about the need for reform, his strong alliance, his clear vision and love.
On the incoming Sheriff administration, Comrade Bolum said the TUC would want it to focus on how to continue to build on strong democracies, transparency and accountability.
He said the experience of the last eight years of the Okowa administration had shown that with good governance, democracy that work, sound management of public funds, transparency and accountability to the people, things would not only be good for the state and the government, but also for the economy because people would be confident in government, which would help to attract business and facilitate trade and commerce.
The TUC helmsman expressed delight that Delta state was actually growing faster than ever and the Governor-elect, Rt Honorable Sheriff Oborevwori, should endeavour to go fast and further.
He said the Union viewed the incoming administration through rose-coloured glasses, stressing that what was seen with Okowa was not only the Governor and his administration using every level of government he could to make meaningful change, but also a commitment to support workers in the state without barriers.
He recalled that on Okowa’s assumption of office as Governor, Local Government Councils in the stste were owing several months of salaries and years of backlogged pension and gratuities of retirees, but after the organized labour met with him he promised swift action through an economic plan to solve the problem and ease the burden on the workers who in turn pledged their cooperation.
The Governor, Comrade Bolum said, never delayed in making remarkable efforts at clearing all owed arrears of salaries, gratuity and pension backlogs.
Meanwhile, the Governor, over the weekend, presented a special recognition service souvenir to singularly appreciate the TUC for its support for his administration.
Comrade Bolum thanked Governor Okowa for the acknowledgment and show of appreciation for the outstanding accomplishments of the Trade Union Congress in the state.
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