Providing Much Needed Jobs: 1000 Doctors, Others To Strengthen Rivers Healthcare Efforts – Fubara

By Elem Kash

 

The Rivers State Government says a total of 1000 doctors and other medical staff are to be recruited to boost healthcare delivery services.

The decision is coming against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by the Fubara administration to create employment for teeming youths who have been forced to stay back at home.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara who dropped the hint at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt when he joined crowds of Rivers workers to celebrate Workers Day said that government would ensure that the people have access to quality health services.

“As you may also know, the State’s Contributory Healthcare Insurance Scheme has started”, the number one citizen explained.

 

“I urge all workers”, Fubara emphasized, “to take advantage of the benefits of the scheme by enrolling to access prompt and affordable healthcare from both private and public service providers.”

The State governor also disclosed that although some preliminary work has been carried out at the Secretariat Complex, he has asked for expert opinion on what to do to rehabilitate the entire structure.

Describing workers as the cornerstone of all administrative efforts, the governor who rose through the ranks of the civi service said he would continue to respect the values and contributions of the working class.

Recall that the Governor who appears determined to create much needed jobs had earlier approved the recruitment of 500 health workers needed to strengthen the State’s medicare system.

He equally directed the authorities of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education to employ fresh hands.

The Port Telegraph has learnt that persons who have along served as casual staff at the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic are on the verge of being given permanent jobs.

Insiders however reveal that the government plan to support private businesses through loans may help to generate jobs and boost the State economy.

Fubara said he is personally aware of the concerns and demands of labour for the improvement of the living conditions of the people and urgent need to stimulate rapid economic growth.

In appreciation of the relevance of workers, especially in the deliberate implementation of government policies, the Governor said that his government would ensure that the emoluments, entitlements and allowances meant for the workforce are not toyed with.

He said he has similarly taken steps to ensure that the minimum wage of workers at the Local Government Councils are paid.

The Governor stated, “I have also directed and ensured the implementation of the minimum wage and promotion of our workers in the local government service.”

But he however noted that the present administration in the State will not lose sight of its agenda.

That agenda, he pointed out, is to promote economic growth, provide infrastructure, drive progress and advance the welfare and well-being of the citizens.

The Governor indicated that the backlog of gratuities owed to retired civil servants is being cleared while pensions are paid promptly.

As he put it, the days when the payment of retirement benefits was delayed are over, saying it is a policy to enroll and pay civil servants who grow to retirement age.

The Governor expressed serious concerns over what he referred to as the poor state of the nation’s economy, particularly rising inflation.

And acknowledged that its impacts on the purchasing power of the ordinary worker and the lives of members of his family are enormous.

He said as someone at the helm of a listening government, his doors are open at all times to labour leaders.

“I assure the leaders of the labour unions that our doors are open, and we are always available to resolve all your demands and other contending issues through constructive dialogue and negotiations.”

Earlier, the Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress in Rivers State, Comrade Alex Agwanwor patted Governor Siminalayi Fubara on the back for attending the workers Day Celebration.

Agwanwor said it is clear to all that the Fubara administration is labour friendly, and vowed that in return, industrial Unions and their members would support the administration.

He pointed out that the theme of this year’s Workers Day, People’s First was unique as it amplifiers the significance of the people in the socioeconomic development of the society.

He listed some of the achievements of the Governor. They include the  promotion of workers and payment of their financial benefits, implementation of N30, 000, minimum wage for Local Government Workers, N100,000 Christmas bonus to Rivers State Workers, restoration of basic amenities at the state secretariat to improvement of productivity, constitution of Governing Boards of Government Agencies and parastatals and the reopening of the Rivers Transport Company, RTC.

The labour leader added that the Governor should revolutionize the agriculture sector through the revamping of state owned companies such as Shongai and Delta Rubber Companies, and encourage young people to take up farming as sustainable means of livelihood.

Agwanwor spoke of the need by the appropriate authorities to ensure the speedy completion of the East West Road.

He said  completing work on the project in order to avert a reoccurrence of the recent carnage that claimed innocent lives.

Also, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress,  Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru expressed happiness over the Governor’s concern to Rivers worker’s welfare.

He suggested that the state government should compel international oil companies to move their headquarters to Rivers State.

He said the time has come for the Rivers State government to invest in intra rail services, saying such a move could boost economic development in the rural areas.