Gov Fubara hails labour for peace in Rivers, assures on November completion of commissioners quarters

…Says despite political storms in his 35 months on seat, schools and hospitals did not shut down

Organised Labour in Rivers State has been toasted by Gov Sim Fubara for being the pillars of industrial peace and harmony in the state.

Labour is represented in the state by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for junior workers and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for senior workers, though groups like Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) made up of university lecturers who are very senior public servants chose to be under the NLC, the union for those under Grade Level 07.

Gov Fubara hailed Labour and all affiliate unions in the state for choosing dialogue rather than confrontation in resolving trade disputes, saying this mature approach to labour unionism has promoted industrial harmony in Rivers State.

In a goodwill message to the workers of Rivers State on May Day 2026, Gov Fubara said the peace enjoyed at work places across the state is a product of the maturity of the leadership of the organised labour and enjoined them to keep the dialogue table open and industrial relations in the state, progressive.

Fubara expressed gratitude to all workers in the Rivers State Civil Service for their contributions towards the development of the state and pledged that his administration will continue to ensure that their welfare and wellbeing remain a priority.

He disclosed that the State Secretariat Complex rehabilitation is ongoing and when completed, would improve the work environment and promote efficiency and productivity in the civil service.

In the past 35 months, Fubara said, the civil servants have maintained peace, harmony and stability despite the political storms in the state. He assured them that their dedication and sacrifice will not be in vain.

“Despite political storms, you did not down tools. Our schools did not shut. Our hospitals did not close. That is because you chose service over strife. Rivers State owes you a debt of gratitude. On our part, salaries have been paid promptly every consecutive month. Pensions are being cleared. Let me assure you that no senior citizen who served this state will be left behind.

“Today, Rivers State stands still to honour the people who keep it moving. You are the teachers in Khana and Ahoada who show up even when the rain is heavy. You are the nurses at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) who hold the night shift with grace. You are the civil servants in the State Secretariat who turn policy into service, the engineers on the Port Harcourt Ring Road braving the sun, the sanitation workers who give us clean streets before the city wakes, and the farmers and artisans whose labour feeds our economy.

“My charge to you this May Day: Keep being the difference. Be diligent and give your best to Rivers State. The road from Degema to Port Harcourt is shorter today because an engineer woke up to work. A child in Etche can read because a teacher refused to give up. That is the Rivers story. You are the authors,” Fubara said.

The governor acknowledged that while the cost of living has tested every household and transport to work takes more from the pocket, the average worker has not given up because of their belief in Rivers State, adding that his administration will not betray that trust.

Meanwhile, Gov Fubara has assured that Commissioners quarters under construction would be unveiled in November 2026.

The governor has stated that the new residential accommodation being built by the state government for Commissioners and Special Advisers would be completed and ready for use by November 2026.

The governor who disclosed this during an inspection of the project on Thursday, stated that his administration embarked on the construction of a centralised residential quarters for senior officials to eliminate the heavy financial burden rented accommodation has placed on the state government.

He said that besides eliminating the burden of exorbitant rent, the new quarters would help the state government to save cost on security as it will provide adequate arrangement for the security of these high calibre of personnel at one location.

“It looks so embarrassing that the government will be spending a lot of money renting places for these senior officials.

“So we decided to embark on this project, believing that when this project is completed, and accommodation provided for our very productive officers, efficiency will be an issue of top priority.

“When they are all living together, I think it makes it easy for us to have just one unit of security and this multiple arrangement of carrying police here and there will also stop,” he said.

The project, which is being handled by Shaanxi Construction Engineering Nigeria Limited, consists of 25 units of six-bedroom flats. It is located within the Rainbow Housing Estate along the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout in Port Harcourt.

Gov Fubara who defied the rain and muddy terrain to inspect the project, was conducted round the construction site by Tonye Belgam, the Commissioner for Special Projects, and officials of the construction company.

The governor commended the efforts of the contractors and their commitment towards meeting the timeline of November 2026.