Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the reinstatement of about 3,000 local government workers previously removed from the state payroll, following renewed consultations between his administration and organised labour.
The decision was reached during a meeting between the governor and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, in Calabar.
The engagement, held at the State Executive Council Chambers, focused on a range of issues affecting workers and pensioners, including the recent disengagement of local government employees, promotions, salary harmonisation, recruitment, workers’ welfare and outstanding pension obligations.
Labour leaders used the meeting to appeal to the governor to reconsider the removal of workers who had already spent about two years in service. They argued that the affected employees had established their livelihoods around their jobs and that their sudden disengagement had created serious hardship for them and their families.
Responding to the concerns, Governor Otu acknowledged the difficulties associated with abruptly withdrawing the source of income of workers who had become accustomed to receiving regular remuneration.
The governor, however, explained that the administration’s intervention in the public service was driven by the need to correct irregularities, enforce due process and ensure that employment into the state workforce was based on appropriate qualifications and fairness.
According to him, the government was faced with the responsibility of creating a public service system in which employment opportunities were accessible on equitable terms and not concentrated in the hands of a few individuals.
Otu said his administration remained committed to rebuilding the state’s public service around fairness, productivity and shared responsibility, while urging organised labour to work with government in addressing the challenges confronting the state.
He described the relationship between government and labour as one that required cooperation, stressing that the transformation of Cross River could not be achieved by government alone.
The governor also highlighted the financial pressures facing the state, noting that the administration had inherited substantial obligations while simultaneously contending with recurrent expenditure, workers’ welfare and infrastructure development.
He said the government had continued to make efforts to reduce its outstanding liabilities despite the emergence of fresh financial commitments, adding that improved revenue generation and prudent management of resources would enable the state to meet more of its obligations.
Otu further urged labour leaders to adopt a collaborative approach to the state’s economic development, saying Cross River must gradually move away from an economy largely dependent on basic survival towards one driven by productivity, investment, enterprise and sustainable opportunities.
He said his administration was working to create an environment capable of attracting investment, improving infrastructure, strengthening human capacity and empowering citizens to become economically productive.
On the other issues raised by organised labour, including outstanding promotions, salary harmonisation and the welfare of low income workers and pensioners, the governor requested relevant documents and official briefs to enable government properly examine the matters.
He assured the labour representatives that the administration would review the concerns raised alongside existing government records in an effort to resolve outstanding issues.
The meeting ended with the governor’s approval for the restoration of the affected local government workers, signalling a renewed engagement between the Cross River State Government and organised labour over the welfare and administration of the state’s workforce.
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