…we have heard, seen, felt your pulse and we will respond accordingly
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has assured the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC in the state that he will look into the plight of workers as generally demanded across the country.
Otu made the promise while addressing members of the Labour union in Calabar during a nationwide peaceful protest by the NLC.
At the governor’s office in Calabar where the protesters staged a peaceful protest, leaders of the two major labour unions, the Trade Union Congress and the Nigerian Labour Congress, vowed to continue to press home their demands until their requests are granted.
Addressing the massive crowd, deputy governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, who represented the governor said they will ensure the demands of the union are met, promising that the government will work with them to ensure those demands are met.
According to the deputy governor, “we have heard, seen, felt your pulse and we will respond accordingly”
He said it was necessary for the union to create a window where the leadership of the various unions can sit with the government and clearly identify the issues and possibly find lasting solutions that will ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
Odey who decried the untold hardship across the country, occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, however , acknowledged that it was necessary in order to put the country in the right direction that is aimed at changing the fortunes of the people.
“It is unfortunate that even as we speak, the Governor is in Abuja, sorting issues concerning the state and I am sure if he was around, he would have come to address you himself” he said
He appreciated the labour union for conducting themselves in an orderly manner that has registered a peaceful protest without rancor, while assuring the workers that there will be a sit-down meeting with the leadership to address all concerns.