By
Kingsley Agim/Blessing Usang
The organized labour
and retired civil servants in Cross River State have lauded the State Governor,
Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade for commencing payment of the 2013 batch of retirees
in the State.
This was made known
during the screening and handing of cheques to affected retirees yesterday at
the Sub-Treasury Office, off Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar.
Speaking to newsmen on
behalf of the organized labour in the State, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour
Congress, Cross River State Chapter, Comrade John Ushie showered encomium on Governor
Ben Ayade for the ongoing payment of the 2013 batch of retirees in the State.
Comrade Ushie said: “We
are happy and grateful to His Excellency, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade who has
graciously made funds available for retirees to enjoy the fruits of their
labour. We want to specially thank our labour friendly Governor, Senator
(Prof.) Ben Ayade for this gesture.
The NLC Chairman hinted
that the exercise will continue across the State after the Calabar Centre
retirees have been attended to, adding that it has given renewed hope to the
State workforce.
He also revealed that
Governor Ayade has made funds available for payment of the 2014 batch of
retirees, which will commence immediately after payment of the 2013 batch is
completed.
The labour leader
restated the resolve of labour movement in the State to continue partnering
with government to ensure that the welfare and other needs of workers in the
State are given priority attention, saying that the government on its part is
ready to do the needful.
The Permanent Secretary
in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Ikang Gabriel Francis said the exercise is
moving on smoothly and a lot of retirees have been cleared. He also thanked the
Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade for making necessary efforts to clear the backlog of
gratuity arrears in the State.
Speaking on behalf of
retirees, Mrs. Affiong Joseph Odey expressed joy and thanked the State
Government for making funds available, in spite of difficult financial times.
Mrs. Affiong urged the State Government to expedite action in clearing backlogs
of arrears and put a smile on retirees’ faces.
Also articulating her
views, Mrs. Francisca Okama Ikpi expressed thanks to Governor Ben Ayade for
making it expedient to pay arrears of 2013 gratuity. She urged Governor to
continue in his quest to clear the backlog of retirees’ gratuity in order to
alleviate the sufferings of retired civil servants.
The ongoing screening
and payment exercise is supervised by the organized labour in the State.
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