The Deputy Governor of Cross River State Mr Peter Odey has said that all the staff working in the governor’s office are not at work because of the ongoing renovations in the office.
Odey made the disclosure on Wednesday when he met with members of Organized Labour who joined their counterparts all over Nigeria on a peaceful protest over the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Representing the Governor Sen Bassey Edet Otu, whom he said was not in Calabar Mr. Odey said “As I speak right now you can see the governor of Cross River State is not in town, he is in Abuja because of Cross Riverians.”
“He is in Abuja to ensure that the best things happen to Cross River. This is where the governor is supposed to be but he’s not here,” he continued.
“He is even doing renovation in this office. All the staff working in this office are not here because renovations are ongoing.”
While addressing the members of the Organized Labour by the gate of his office on behalf of the governor, Odey said the truth of the matter is that “we are suffering the same thing.”
He said he was aware that this protest was going on all over Nigeria and the cause of the protests is subsidy removal.
The Deputy Governor acknowledged the fact that the policies they are making is affecting the people and assure members of the NLC that Governmment is on top of the matter.
“The same place you buy fuel is where we buy fuel. We have listened to you. We will carry your message to the government. Governmment understands what you are going through, and feels the pulse of the people and will respond accordingly,” he said.
“I want to urge you on behalf of the governor Sen Bassey Edet Otu to give Governmment a little time to address your challenges and I assure you on behalf of the governor that all your challenges will be addressed accordingly.”
Odey said “I assure you that we will in the meeting discuss your challenges next week. We will discussed ways to reduce the sufferings of the masses. Governmment cannot function without workers. We will set a committee and we will talk about it next week I assure you.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Council of the NLC Comrade Olayi Gregory said they were in the governor’s office to deliver to the Governor the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Cross River State Council.
Olayi said Nigeria people are undergoing massive suffering as a result of poor policies. “We are here to present our position, grief and demands and the reasons why we embark on this protest to you.”
The chairman urged the government of Cross River State to do the needful, because the masses are aware that when once they elect a Governor to represent them they will come in to serve their right.
He said “You don’t work for us but for yourself and for your individual families. We are not against any person’s progress but we calling on you as the state government to do the needful so that every Cross Riverian will say this Governmment is a Governmment to reckon with.”
Highpoints were presentation of letter to the governor and chanting of solidarity songs.