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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