The leadership of the Abia State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has appealed to the governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti to consider reducing the number of the working days of civil servants in the state.
The NUJ leadership led by its chairman, Comrade Victor Ndukwe who presided over the union’s congress held at the secretariat of the NUJ located along Aba road in Umuahia, the state capital said that the decision of the union to beg the governor to reduce the number of working days of civil servants was to cushion the effects of the harsh economic realities on the workers, as were obtainable in some states in the country.
The NUJ in a communiqué signed by NUJ State Chairman, and other members of the communiqué drafting committee Comrade Chukwuma Emele, Chairman communiqué Drafting Committee, Imeremba M. Imeremba, Oluchi Franklin and Comrade Ikechukwu Onuegbu, Secretary read: “That Congress appreciates the State Government for the ongoing transformation at Isigate Umuahia which has enhanced free-flow of traffic in the area and appeals to the relevant authorities to strictly monitor the activities of the taskforce team as some of their compromised members still extort tricycle operators in order to allow them to illegally pick and drop off commuters which is a negation of government’s objective.
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“That Congress observes that retirees from the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) and a few other parastatals are yet to be paid their pension for almost one year despite having been verified and appeals to the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to cause the immediate clearance of the said pensions arrears to enable the retirees to heave a sigh of relief in these austere time.
“Congress also urges pensioners in the State under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) to guard against divisions in their ranks and speak with one voice always, and notes that existence of a splinter group will not help their cause.
“Congress applauds the Governor Alex Otti-led administration for its promise to establish a modular refinery in the state and calls on the Governor to ensure realization of the project expected to commence operations in the first quarter of next year, because of the enormous socio-economic impact on the state.
“Congress lauds the State government for the improved security in the state attributable to the collaborative efforts of the government and security agencies in the state and expressed optimism that the new Commissioner of Police (CP), Danladi Isa, will key into the effort to not only sustain the gains but improve upon them.
“Congress also joins the state government in encouraging wealthy Abians and investors to consider investing in the state so as to contribute to its development and creating employment for its people.”