Workers’ Day: Cross River Gov’t Won’t Shortchange Its Workforce, Gov Otu Pledges

Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu has assured that workers in the state will not be shortchanged, while promising his administration’s commitment to bringing succor to the state workforce.

Governor Otu made the pledge while addressing workers at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the state capital, during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration on Thursday, May 1st.

Represented by Dr. Peter Odey, his deputy at the May Day, Governor Otu pledged to work with the ideals of labour organisations where every incentives entitled to workers are made available to them.

“As your Governor, I pledge once more, that I will walk with you, work with you, and build with you. We will rise together. We will overcome together. We will shine together,” he pledged.

He stressed that his respect for workers motivated the timely payment of salaries, reactivated stalled promotions, and clearing backlogs and gratuity burdens that long cast shadows over lives of our retirees.

He further promised to reform the civil service structure for sustainable conditions of service for government workers to live relatively well with their counterparts in other areas of human endeavour.

Otu highlighted his administration’s investment in digital literacy programmes and workforce capacity training to achieve merit -based progression.

“We must not just be busy, we must be brilliant. We must not only work harder, we must work smarter,” urging workers to shun mediocrity and embrace innovation.

“As Governor, I feel the gravity of your expectations. I feel the urgency of your cries for better welfare package, timely promotions, reliable pensions, and an environment that dignifies your noble labour.

“You have not asked for handouts; you have asked for fairness. You have not demanded privilege; you have asked for recognition. And I give you my solemn assurance,” he assured.