Workers’ Welfare Must Be A Priority – Nyesom Wike

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Monday in Port Harcourt, said he would uphold the welfare of workers at all levels and at all times.

Wike said this in a statement released to newsmen by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, his Special Assistant Electronic Media.

According to him, before any security vote is released or spent, the welfare of workers in the state must first be taken care of.

He promised that his administration will monitor the pattern of expenditure of the local government councils to ensure that funds were deployed to areas that would promote the interest of the people.

The governor directed that the local government caretaker committee chairmen must get approval before they access their security votes and subvention.

“All salaries owed local government workers must be settled before any security votes are released to the caretaker chairmen.

“We must uphold the welfare of workers at all levels,’’ he stressed.

He warned local government heads of personnel management and treasurers against colluding with caretaker committee chairmen to negatively manipulate the financial process in the councils.

He said, “if any Local Government Head of Personnel Management or Treasurer colludes with a caretaker committee chairman to release unauthorised funds, such official will be sanctioned.’’

The governor directed the councils’ caretaker committees to always remit taxes deducted after the payment of salaries.

While congratulating the caretaker chairmen on their respective appointments, he advised them to interface with security agencies to promote law and order in their areas.