Workers Day: NLC, TUC adopt Ayade for 2019 …Lauds state government on job creation, man-power development …Says Prof. Ayade has capacity to pay new minimum wage

Workers Day: NLC, TUC adopt Ayade for 2019

.Lauds state government on job creation, man-power development

.Says Prof. Ayade has capacity to pay new minimum wage

By Udeme Clement

The organised Labour in Cross River State yesterday resoundingly endorsed the State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade for a second term in officer.

The workers endorsement was made known  by the State Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Comrade John Ushie, during his address to mark the 2018 Workers’ Day celebration in Calabar.

This is coming on the heels of the payment of May 2018 salaries to workers, on the eve of this year’s Workers’ Day celebration by the State government.

Since the inception of this administration, workers have always received their salaries in advance

Ushie told the gathering that the decision of the organised labour to endorse the Governor has to do with his very impressive performance in office since assuming the reins of leadership in the State.

His words, “In view of what you have done so far in Cross River State since your assumption of office on May 29, 2015, in the area of socio-economic, political and man-power development, as attested by many, and in view of your workers friendly posture, we the workers of Cross River State have viewed critically the options open to us and our future, as such, we have agreed on this day,  to massively support your second term in office.”

“Indeed, as the new minimum wage is being proposed, we know that you have the capacity to pay us our salaries without fail. We therefore urge you to bid for a second term in office come 2019 general elections.

On his part, the TUC Chairman, Comrade Clerks Otu commended the Governor for providing employment opportunities to Cross Riverians through construction of Garment factory, the Calabar Pharmaceutical factory, Cocoa processing plant in Ikom, the ultra-modern rice mill in Ogoja, as well as the rice seedlings center and several other industries.

In his response, the emotional Ayade described his adoption for 2019 elections by the organised Labour as humbling, and promised to continue in giving priority to the welfare of the citizenry over every other consideration.

He emphasized, “I want to thank you all as workers of this great State for finding it necessary to honour me in a unique day like this. This honour is a commitment, it is a challenge and responsibility on my part to do even more”.

“Therefore, your choice of my adoption come 2019 is a clear testimonial that my philosophy, as well as focus of putting food on the table has worked”.

“The only thing I owe society and God is to ensure that these people who have been standing in the Sun, who have made the choice of reaffirming their  commitment to me in 2019, that at the fullest of time, will be happy, that they did”.