Akwa Ibom State: Mayday or May day

BY OKPO EWA

The words “May” and “Day” when placed together are capable of two variant meanings depending on the placement pattern. The heading above is an example. When they are joined together to form a compound word that denotes “an emergency procedure word” used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications originally “M’aider” meaning “Help Me” in French as coined by Frederick Stanley Mockford in 1923. On the other hand, When the words are placed side by side to form a noun phrase as in “May Day” it simply refers to May 1st; The International Workers or Labour Holiday celebration as marked by many countries world over. In Nigeria, “Mayday” is a distress word used in different sectors and circumstances say Military, Paramilitary, Shipping, Aviation and the likes while “May Day” is celebrated on 1st May everyyear. The purpose of this article is to x-ray the labour situation in Akwa Ibom State under the administration of Chief Dr. Godswil Obot Akpabio so far to know whether it is worthy of a may day or requires sounding a mayday.

 Be that as it may, it is no longer news that the administration of Chief Dr. Godswil Obot Akpabio has fascinatingly made the state of Akwa Ibom a destination beacon among states in Africa through the numerous life and landscape transforming projects achieved by the administration. Nevertheless,  it is imperative to also consider the fact that the state is also immensely endowed with wealth in natural resources especially liquid gold called oil. The state is the highest oil and gas producing state in the country with a land mass of 7,081 km2 (2,734 sq m), having the population of over 5 million people, A Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of  over $11.18 billion and controlling a monthly allocation of $69.4 Billion. 

First, it is worthy to mention that the Government of Akwa Ibom is unable to state the precise figure of the total number of workers in the state. This fact was betrayed by the statements of the recently relieved Commissioner For Finance Mr. Bassey Albert and the Permanent Secretary/ Head of Civil Service Akwa Ibom State: Mrs Cecilia Udoessien while addressing the Akwa Ibom Chapters of  National Civil Servants Union and Trade Union Congress led by Comr. Etim Anwana and Comr.  Akamba Awah respectively on the government’s implementation of Biometric Data Capture/Staff Verification stated one of its purpose to be the verification and authentication of the actual number of staff in the employment of the government. This was after the discovery in November 2013 of a scandalous figure of eight thousand (8,000) Ghost Workers said to be fifth of the estimated total in Nigeria.

On the issue of salaries and benefits it would be recalled that it was Gov. Akpabio himself upon assumption of office in 2006 who affirmed that the payment of salaries and allowances are not to be considered as achievements but merely giving workers their legitimate due. This statement was justified by the fact that upon assumption of office the governor approved a 22% salary increase for medical workers, 15% salary increment and payment of other allowances for workers in the state public service initially suspended by the previous administration, 100% increase in car loans across board to civil servants and the introduction of a bonus package of 13th month salary. however, it is worthy of mention that consistency in the payment of these salaries and allowances seem to be a challenge in recent time. This has been experienced in the recent protest against non - payment of salaries and allowances for some months. Though the Information Officer In The Head of Civil Service Office; Mr. John Offiong explained that the state government adopted a new accounting standard known as International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) to prepare 2014 budget but the hardship inflicted by this cannot be over emphasized as the labourers lamented why the government chose no other time than the beginning of the year to effect their so called international best practice amidst the strife of fuel scarcity. In consolation Mr. John Offiong stated that it was merely a part of the teething problems usually encountered during progressive changes.

On the issue of job security, credits has been earned by the Governor by his immediate reinstatement of 183 workers of the state water corporation sacked by the previous administration, establishment of bureau of labor and productivity, resolving the six month medical workers strike  inherited from his predecessor and resolving a seven year legal tussle with labour also inherited. Meanwhile, over 3,839 workers have been retired from the state service between 2007 and 2013 with the latter recording the highest of 766.

From the foregoing, it goes without saying that Governor Godswil Akpabio as a former commissioner in three ministries within six years of his service under the previous administration gathered sufficient experience about the conditions and legitimate desires of workers in the state that informed his campaign promise to take adequate care of them if elected. This promise informed the labour to declare him “workers candidate” in the 2007 elections. More so, Gov. Akpabio started so well that even the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) awarded him “Pillar Of Health Care Delivery” while he was enthroned The Chief Labourer/Servant of the state by labour due to his benevolent disposition towards them such that he recorded a zero labour conflict term in his first four years; a situation which his critics accused him of cosseting labour as campaign strategy for 2011. An allegation allowed to prove its veracity with time.  Of course, the force of labour cannot be underplayed. With them wholly in his support Gov. Akpabio  emerged again as Governor of our beloved and prestigious state but truth be told. 

So far the same kudos cannot be given to the same hero. As though his critics were right, barely a month and half into his second term and most of the allowances and benefits are no longer forth coming, salary payments is delayed, even the said 13th month salary has never been paid since the inception of this second term, recruitment into the state civil service has suddenly become a cash and carry affair, labour action has precipitously become a recurrent decimal, retirement and retrenchment if not outright termination of employment are on the rise. At this rate, it has become imperative for the workers to reflect over their situation whether there be need to reconsider their position about the state of affairs in the present administration. Should they proceed to celebrate a may day this May Day or should mayday alarm be sounded this May Day for the search for another “Worker’s Messiah” nay “worker’s Candidate”.