The Rivers State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Udoka Josiah, has praised the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for what he described as bold, progressive, and worker-friendly policies, particularly the recent approval extending the retirement age of clinical health workers in the state from 60 to 65 years.

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt, Dr. Josiah said the governor’s decision demonstrated uncommon leadership and a deep understanding of the critical role of healthcare professionals in sustaining effective service delivery across the state.

According to him, the policy was implemented without agitation or pressure from organised labour, a move he described as rare and commendable in Nigeria’s labour-government relations.

“This decision shows that the governor understands governance and the importance of healthcare delivery to the well-being of Rivers people. It is a proactive intervention that deserves commendation,” Josiah said.

He urged health workers, particularly members of the Association of Community Health Workers, to reciprocate the gesture by remaining committed to professionalism, diligence, and quality service delivery in their various duty posts.

The TUC chairman also lauded Fubara for the ongoing renovation of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, describing the project as a timely intervention that would enhance productivity and provide a more conducive working environment for civil servants.

He appealed to workers to take ownership of government facilities and ensure their protection while renovation works continue.

Beyond labour welfare, Josiah expressed concern over rising political tension and insecurity in parts of Rivers State, warning that sustained development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of instability and crisis.

“As civil servants, we are usually the first to feel the impact of any crisis. When there is instability, salaries are threatened, governance is disrupted, and development suffers,” he noted.

He called on political leaders, elders, and critical stakeholders across the state to set aside differences and work collectively to restore peace and stability.

Turning to internal labour matters, Josiah criticised what he described as persistent crises within labour unions in Rivers State, cautioning against politicisation and external interference in union leadership.

He stressed that the labour movement must remain a platform for defending workers’ rights and the welfare of the masses, rather than serving personal or sectional interests.

In a strongly worded allegation, the TUC chairman accused a faction of the TUC leadership in the state, allegedly led by one Samuel Ogan, of contributing to the crisis within the union and looting properties belonging to the TUC Secretariat.

He described the Rivers State TUC as “crisis-broken,” alleging that individuals parading themselves as union leaders lacked legitimacy and were undermining the labour movement’s credibility and integrity.

Josiah further alleged that investigations had been conducted into the disappearance of several union properties, including office equipment and household items, adding that reports had been compiled with names of those allegedly involved.
“Some of these items were traced to private residences,” he claimed.

According to him, formal complaints and letters had been forwarded to relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), calling for their intervention.

He added that the union would take appropriate action at the right time to safeguard public service institutions and protect workers’ interests
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Josiah also questioned the involvement of private-sector individuals in the TUC’s leadership affairs, insisting that issues affecting the congress in Rivers State are predominantly public service-related.

He maintained that public sector workers should be allowed to manage their union affairs without external imposition.

Calling for integrity, accountability, and unity, the TUC chairman urged workers and stakeholders to disregard what he described as misleading narratives and to support genuine efforts to restore order, unity, and credibility within the Rivers State labour movement.