May Day, Imoke Commits Principals Sack to Retirement (2/4/08)

In his effort to create a harmonious relationship between Government and Labour, the Cross River State Government has committed the dismissal of some school principals by the last administration to retirement.

The affected principals were dismissed by the erstwhile administration for flouting Government’s decision on the admission of external candidates to sit for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), which several appeals had been made to Government to repeal its decision or commit it to retirement.

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State stated Government’s decision on the issue during the Joint 2008 May Day Celebration by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, assuring that Government will continue to dialogue with Labour on the promotions of Civil Servants from four years to three years maturity period for the various grade levels while congratulating workers for their resilience in embracing the challenges which have come their way in recent years.

According to Imoke, as key players in its quest to transform the State into a model, workers remain the indispensable means through which its dreams can be made to come true which makes the theme of the celebrations “Making Nigeria Work for its People” most appropriate. This he said means that workers must be prepared to move with the times if they are not to become clogs in the wheels of progress as nothing can be more limiting to the State’s progress than an unwillingness to serve well and right.

Imoke noted that the State has come a long way from its docile and unproductive past to its present status as a trail blazer and Government intends to completely break away from that unglorious past by remaining at the forefront in all fields of development, adding that it needs continued peace and harmony, if it is to sustain the tempo in its efforts to transform the State which also requires that Government relationship with Labour Unions should continue to blossom through a mutual endeavour to embrace peace and understanding which is why it is prepared to do whatever is necessary and possible to maintain a harmonious relationship with Labour.

The Governor assured that Government intends to keep faith with every promise that it makes with Labour and will continue to promote deserving workers following laid down rules and procedures while payment of all entitlements remain of primary importance to the State and shall be sustained, adding that more workers will be trained with the view to improving productivity as Government is presently distributing Lap and Desk-Tops Computers to Civil Servants who applied for them with provision for minimal monthly deductions from their salaries and also plan to build more houses for workers on owner-occupier basis remains on course.

On Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), he disclosed that Government places a high premium on education and is therefore doing everything to resolve amicably the current impasse with its lecturers and other workers and called on all to embrace dialogue rather than strike action in resolving differences, stressing that Government is committed to the tenets of Good Governance, Due Process and the Rule of Law and to improving the well being of every Cross Riverians and frowns at any obstacle in the way of realization of its set goals and vision for the people.

The State Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Vincent Ndifon disclosed that the theme of the celebration hinged on transparency and accountability as the panacea to Nigeria’s economic development, saying that it is vital to strengthen institutions like legislature, judiciary, EFCC and ICPC to enhance good governance as well as combat corruption and improve living standards through result oriented policies.

Ndifon called on Government to address the issues of promotion, resolution of impasse with CRUTECH workers and urgent intervention in the accreditation of different Schools of Nursing in the State including Eja Memorial School of Nursing which may soon be scrapped.

Other areas he wanted to be addressed include review of the dismissal of the School Principals to retirement, reconstitution of a Joint Task Force team on petroleum and the practice of engaging casual staff for more than 6-months in some Government public and private establishments.

The State Chairman of TUC, Mr. Louis Usang said in view of the rising cost of living, Government should implement the 15 percent salary increase to workers in the State Civil Service, calling for the implementation of the Housing Scheme for workers as well as strengthen the relationship with Labour and guard the role of Civil Servants to enhance productivity.

Courtesy of Government House Press