High cost of rent, transport, feeding killing us, Delta workers tell Oborevwori

Delta State workers on Friday joined their counterparts to celebrate 2026 International Day for Workers, an exercise that offered them the opportunity to tell the government how they were confronted with poverty and insecurity.

The workers, who gathered at the Cenotaph, Asaba, were visibly not happy as they frowned at government’s perceived insensitivity to their plight manifested in high cost of accommodation, transport and feeding.

To ease the severe economic hardship and suffering they are facing, they appealed to the state government under the leadership of Sheriff Oborevwori, to introduce palliative measures.

Goodluck Ofobruku, chairman, state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a joint speech with the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (NUT), explained that insecurity had robbed communities of peace, displaced families, and disrupted livelihoods.

“It has increased the cost of doing business and discouraged investment. Most painfully, it has placed workers the backbone of national development- in harm’s way”, they lamented.

Continuing, the workers said, “Poverty weakens the workforce, reduces productivity, and fuels social tension. When workers earn wages that cannot meet basic needs, when families must choose between food and healthcare, when young graduates roam the streets without jobs, poverty becomes a national emergency.”

The Delta State NLC Chairman also expressed concern over the non-appointment of permanent secretaries.

Responding, Sheriff Oborevwori, the state governor, said his administration was committed to the welfare and dignity of labour even as he described the state’s workforce as the “engine room” of the economy and the backbone of governance.

Oborevworri represented by Monday Onyeme, his deputy, admitted that insecurity and poverty remain the greatest threats to productivity.

“As your governor, I remain committed to protecting the interests of workers and expanding opportunities for all.

“I urge you to remain dedicated and professional as we work together to build a stronger and prosperous Delta State; this is because, today, we celebrate the 2026 International Workers’ Day in Delta State, a fitting tribute to the dignity of labour and to the men and women whose daily efforts sustain our State and drive our progress.

“I warmly congratulate all workers in Delta State and across Nigeria on this special occasion; I commend your resilience, discipline, and dedication; you remain the backbone of governance and the engine of our economy.

“The 2026 Workers’ Day theme, ‘Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work’, highlights the harsh realities undermining the dignity and productivity of labour in Nigeria.

“On assumption of office on May 29, 2023, I pledged to govern for all Deltans through the M.O.R.E Agenda. Three years on, that commitment is yielding tangible results. We recognise that a motivated workforce is central to effective governance.

“Let me reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the welfare and productivity of our public servants: we are implementing key measures, including the construction of additional residential quarters for Permanent Secretaries, prompt payment of salaries, and regular promotion exercises.

“We are also expanding training and capacity-building programmes while improving the work environment to boost morale, efficiency, and service delivery. Our goal is a modern, professional, and highly responsive public service.

“We have complemented these efforts with targeted recruitment, particularly in the education and medical sectors, to strengthen service delivery.

“We remain mindful of our retirees, whose service laid the foundation for today’s progress.

“To date, we have cleared pension benefits for State workers and cleared outstanding liabilities at the local government level. This is our commitment to dignity in retirement.

“In response to current economic realities, we have also prioritised social protection and economic empowerment. Through the M.O.R.E Grant Scheme and the D-CARES programme, hundreds of thousands of Deltans, traders, artisans, and entrepreneurs have received support to sustain and grow their livelihoods.

“We continue to invest in education through bursaries and targeted scholarships, ensuring that no child of Delta State is denied opportunity due to financial constraints.

“These interventions reflect our commitment to inclusive and people-centred governance.

Development is not only about infrastructure; it is about people; a well-paid worker, a secure retiree, an empowered entrepreneur, and an educated child, these are the true measures of progress, the governor concluded.