Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, dignity, and advancement of workers in the state, describing them as the “heartbeat of the state” and the engine that powers its progress.
Otu, represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration on Thursday in Calabar, commended the resilience, dedication, and sacrifices of workers across all sectors.
He acknowledged the struggles and expectations of the state’s workforce, assuring that their calls for better welfare, timely promotions, reliable pensions, and fair treatment have not gone unheard.
Otu said, “You have not asked for handouts; you have asked for fairness. You have not demanded privilege; you have asked for recognition. And I give you my solemn assurance—you are heard, you are seen, you matter.”
He highlighted key interventions made by his administration since assuming office, including the regular payment of salaries, the release of N10 billion for the backlog of gratuities, the implementation of the new national minimum wage, and investments in digital literacy and merit-based reforms in the civil service.
Otu emphasised that these were not done for applause but in pursuit of a sustainable and dignified future for workers.
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In his address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Cross River State, Gregory Olayi, lauded the governor’s achievements in infrastructural renewal, security restoration through Operation Okwok, and the revival of state-owned economic assets.
He noted that these efforts justify the labour movement’s decision to honour Otu with the titles “Most Labour Friendly Governor” and “Mr. Infrastructure.” He confirmed that the state is among those that started the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage with consequential adjustment.
Olayi, however, noted that negotiations are still ongoing on some areas of concern, including delayed promotions, inconsistent gratuity payments, disparities in minimum wage implementation, and a few others.
He called for the harmonization of pensions, the restoration of union activities in public transport hubs, and the proper recognition of qualified personnel in the civil service.
The state chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Monday Ogbodum, also commended the governor for his people-centered policies, including the REDI program for retirees and efforts to reclaim Cross River’s 76 oil wells.
Yet, he echoed similar concerns regarding promotion arrears, unfulfilled employment offers, and the need for official vehicles for union operations.
Ogbodum, who used the occasion to announce his impending exit as TUC Chairman, urged the government to urgently address the excess of security checkpoints inflating transportation costs.
