Promotion of Rivers workers: PDP dismisses antics of detractors, lauds RSG

Promotion of Rivers workers: PDP dismisses antics of detractors, lauds RSG

By PHC Telegraph

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has waved aside negative comments that are being propagated by some persons against the decision by the Rivers State Government to promote Rivers workers.

Some of those who are attacking the decision by Governor Nyesom Wike to employ 10, 000 workers and promote existing ones, the PDP said in a statement in Port Harcourt, are the same people who have persistently insisted that workers are being disregarded.

Dismissing the ranting of those he described as detractors, the Director of Publicity and Communications of the Campaign Council of the PDP in Rivers State, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke commended the State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike for appointing new members of the Civil Service Commission.

He also lauded the Governor for the decision to inject 10,000 new workers into the service.

The Spokesman said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, that the Governor has touched all segments of the Rivers society by taking steps to address the needs of the Civil Service.

“We are aware that several detractors have been trying to reap cheap political capital from what they perceive as the delay in addressing the needs of the Civil Service. Now that the Government is dealing with the Civil Service, they are changing their dance step.

“We are however, gladdened by the fact that Governor Nyesom Wike whose new vision has touched on all sectors of our economy, has in accordance with his laid down plan for the State, decided to focus on the Rivers State Civil Service.

The statement further identified some of the subsectors of the Rivers economy that the Wike administration has remarkably touched.

“The Governor has expanded health facilities, built several roads and flyovers to ease traffic and the movement of goods and services, and linked the Rivers grassroots with the State capital.

“He has provided scholarships to Rivers students and improved the learning environment in our schools as part of the human capital development policy of the State Government”, the statement highlighted.

“Those who are biting their tongues over the decision to constitute a Civil Service Commission and the resolve by Government to employ 10,000 workers” the PDP noted, “need not worry about timing. Is Governor Wike right in ensuring that workers are promoted? Our answer is yes. Is the Governor right in his decision to fill vacancies in the service by employing 10,000 workers? Again, our answer is yes.

“The interest of those we love our last served, so goes a popular aphorism. Governor Wike has proved by his action that there is no time that he ever forgot the contributions of Rivers workers.

“Rivers workers are infact the engine room of Government. They are part and parcel of the numerous successes that the administration has achieved by the grace of God.”

The PDP observed that Siminalayi Fubara, its gubernatorial candidate has a better understanding of the needs of the civil service, especially workers in the State than any candidate in the race.

“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the governorship candidate of the PDP, is a product of the Civil Service. He grew through the ranks and understands the yearnings and aspirations of Rivers workers. There is no one in the race that has a better understanding of the Civil Service than Sim.

“We have no doubt whatsoever that Sim will put himself first in the shoes of workers and the Civil Service before seeing himself as Governor of Rivers State.

“Finally, the Civil Service Commission by law has the statutory mandate of handling matters related to the employment as well as the promotion of workers.

“In carrying out this unique function, there are financial and administrative guidelines that must be followed. Those who are crying wolf over what they see as the backlog of promotions in the service need not worry. Those matters will be absolutely addressed.”

Although the resolve of the Wike administration to handle the welfare of workers is generating a lot of mixed reactions, particularly among members of the opposition, many well meaning Rivers people are happy with the decision.

Recall that a similar attempt was made in the past to play up the issue of the non payment of retirees.

Government had maintained at the time that it was taking stock not just of the cost implications, but also to obtain the appropriate number of retirees who are qualified to receive payments in order to avoid paying ghost workers.

Payments of pensions and gratuities are currently going on in Rivers State without any hitch, according to information.

In defending the decision to ensure pay rises for civil servants, the PDP said the the timing of the Government action shouldn’t matter.

What should matter, it said, is the fact that the step taken is right.