The Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reacted to the recent comments by Governor Nyesom Wike on the readiness of his administration to begin what he described as “stomach infrastructure” in the state.
The governor, who spoke at the inauguration of the Oro-Abali Flyover, at the Kaduna Street Junction along the Port Harcourt – Aba Expressway in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, said it was time he focused on the welfare of the people, having spent the better part of his administration working to provide physical infrastructure.
According to him, “Now that we have done virtually everything we promised Rivers people, this is the time now we have to play politics of stomach infrastructure. What people do not understand; people think when you are in government, from the first day, you should be sharing money. I said I won’t do that. I have to work for the people of the state. Now that we have worked, the remaining period will be to feed your stomach.”
However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Rivers NLC boss, Beatrice Itubor accused Wike of ridiculing Rivers youths.
She maintained that even after youths in the state submitted applications for the ‘5000 youths’ employment promised by the governor, nothing has been done.
According to her, the application letters written by youths who applied for the state Judiciary jobs were parked in a room and later burnt to ashes.
She maintained that the governor is busy prioritizing the construction of flyovers everywhere while pensioners are dying.
Itubor bemoaned the neglect Rivers pensioners and civil servants have faced in the hands of the current administration, noting that so many of them have lost their lives due to hardship.
She, therefore, called on the governor to show true commitment by employing rivers youths to replace retired civil servants.
