In a bid to to maintain a harmonoius relationship and to forge affirmative action to ensuring peace, unity and cooperative existence between Government and Labour, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha yesterday, at Imo State Government House through his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, reconstituted government-labour joint committee.
In his address the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere who performed the inauguration ceremony on behalf of Governor Okorocha said he is pleased to inaugurate the joint committee, saying that it will help in cementing the relationship between the labour and the Government in Imo State.
Prince Madumere recalled that Governor Okorocha handed him the responsibility to interface with labour and ensure a cordial relationship built on trust, peace and cooperation, which he handled with utmost bliss and responsibility. Recounting his experience with the labour, he said he cherished the established firm relationship that was founded on mutual respect and with good understanding, Governor Okorocha granted Labour virtually all their demands. Speaking further, he reminded the Labour that Imo State was the first in the entire South- East in terms of welfare of workers but for the present economic downturn, which brought about some stimulus in administration.
He, therefore, assured the Labour that, with the inauguration of the committee, another process of ensuring a united and affirmative action with a view to fashioning out a way out of the present hard economic times. He also averred that Governor Okorocha has never lost interest int he welfare of Imo workers, believing that with the committe, greater cooperation will be promoted.
He therefore appealed to the labour to situate their demands, bearing in mind the present realities, to reflect the tide of the time. ” When this is done, both the present and future will bear testimonies that at a certain point in our history as a people, the Government and the representatives of the workers demonstrated great statesmanship that put the State first before our respective selves even as he assured of a better deal with Imo workers.
The high point of the inauguration ceremony was the appointment of the Chief of Staff Government House, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu as the Chairman of the Committee by the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere with the endorsement of the members of the committee.
Responding for the members of the committee, the Chairman of the Committee, Ugwumba Nwosu assured the Deputy Governor of their resolve to work together to ensure a harmonious relationship between the government and the labour. He however likened the Labour-Government Joint Committee to that of marriage between husband and wife, which he said would definitely witness disagreements in some areas but assured that, they will ensure that such issues are handled at the round table.
He however called on the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere to always keep his doors open at critical moments his useful pieces of advise will be sought given his wealth of experience in labour matters.
Other members of the committee are; Hon. IKechukwu Amuka, member Imo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Stella Udeogu, Accountant General of Imo State, Barr. Chinyere Uwandu, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Comrade Aharanwa Chris, Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor and Hon. Ethelbert Ibeabuchi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Assets and Liabilities. On the part of the Labour, Comrade Paul Akalazu, Chairman Trade Union Congress, Austin Chilakpo, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ken Onwuemeodo, State Secretary (NLC), Comrade Obasi Charles, Assistant State Secretary (TUC), Comrade Anyanwu Uchenna, State Secretary, (SJPSNC), Comrade Victor Dike, State Secretary, Nigeria Medical Association and Comrade Ezenwata Francis, State Chairman (JOHESU).
