Delta at 25: Labour urges Okowa to extend lifeline to steel workers

Even as the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Delta State came with pomp and pageantry, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to extend a lifeline to workers of the Delta Steel Complex (DSC).

Speaking recently the Chairman, NLC, Delta State, Comrade Williams Akporeha, urged the governor to deploy plans towards improving the welfare and better working conditions for the state workforce.

He then appealed to the governor to extend the lifeline he promised to the workers of Delta Steel, without further delay. “DSC workers should not be left to die. The steel complex is an economic giant; it is now time to wake up the giant and save the people.

Akporeha added that the union would always remain committed to partner with government to sustain industrial harmony in the state as long as the governor put labour related issues in the front burner, since workers are the wealth creators for the state.”

He noted that in spite of the multi ethnic nature of Delta State, Governor Okowa’s inclusive approach in the implementation of his administration’s development agenda has significantly straightened the lines of ethnic divide in the state.

According to him, “the fact remains that the ability to sustain unity and development is the hallmark of good leadership and Governor Okowa stands out tall in the regard. His vision and consistent leadership style has continued to foster unity among Deltans.”

The NLC leader expressed optimism that the state will attain greater heights having a Governor endowed with such rare leadership qualities on the driver’s seat. The Comrade said, “No doubt, marking 25 years of Delta state with Dr. Okowa as governor is very significant. First of all, marking 25 years is mid-way to marking Golden Jubilee; therefore having a man with great leadership ideas at this time is very symbolic, it means the beginning of the journey to greatness,” he added.