Delta State was created by the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida 28 years ago. It was created on August 27, 1991 alongside others. In this interview with Godwin Udoh, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Delta State Council, Comrade Goodluck Ofobuku, said a lot has been done since the state was created and is worth celebrating. Ofobuku, who is also the chairman, Medical Health Workers, Delta State chapter, spoke on other issues, affecting the state.
At 28, do you think Delta has taken its pride of place among the comity of states in Nigeria?
So far, so good. If you look at where we are coming from and where we are going, you will agree with me that Delta State has arrived. It has not been easy, but it will get better by the grace of God, having given us a leader now, who is trying to see how Deltans and the state will be developed. I am talking of our leader and governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. He is doing everything possible to develop the state in the area of infrastructure as well as developing Deltans in the way of training and retraining of those of us in the civil service. He is equally training those outside the service by setting up programmes like STAP and YAGEP to train entrepreneurs so that they can own businesses. So far, you can say that Delta State is on the right track. But it can be better. We still thank God because if you compare Delta with other states created at the same time, you will know that we are not doing badly.
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In other words, you are saying that Delta State has gotten its leadership process right?
Yes, to a large extent. If you look at what is on ground, the index has shown that we are among the top echelon. So we may not just hit the nail on the head, but our people say, ‘if you aim at the moon and you shot at the star, you have tried’. That means you have not done badly. Don’t forget that a large percentage of our revenue comes from Abuja and the government at the state does not have power over it. It is what they like they give to them. If we have control over our resources or generate and control, I am sure we will fare more than these.
So, August 27 is worth celebrating?
Yes, it’s worth celebrating because some ethnic groups in this country are still agitating for their own state. But, here we are with one and you said it can’t be celebrated? Those of us in Delta looked for it and we were given in 1991.
I could remember at that time, Asaba wasn’t developed like what we have today; there were no roads, schools, houses and even this Labour House where I am sitting today was not there. So, Deltans had cause to celebrate.
From 1999 when a democratically elected governor assumed office and now, would you say that the state has made giant strides in all sectors?
We have not achieved our potential as a state, but we are on the right track. Nigeria got her independence in 1960 and is still underdeveloped as a country. There is no way a state created 28 years ago can perform more than what she is doing today. But as I said before, former governors in the state did their bit by putting the state on the right track and we are moving well. We will get there someday. I travel to others countries regularly and I see the way they developed. I asked questions and I found out that it is as a result of hard work. People sacrifice their time, knowledge and wisdom to put their country on the high. And that is what the Delta State government is doing; trying to put things on the right track. Although, government alone can’t provide all the jobs, but the Delta State government has set up some schemes to train people to become entrepreneurs and they will in turn train others to own little businesses. By the grace of God, the Delta State government is taking us back to our root. Before now, you will see graduate moving endlessly on the street with big file searching for white collar job. But the government of Delta State has set up agricultural schemes for university and secondary school graduates called Youths Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme, YAGEP. The government trains and give them money to established and own their businesses. This has multiplier effect; it reduces criminality and increases the state’s GDP.
The state government introduced these schemes for its people and other arms of government can equally key in; the local governments and even the Federal Government. It is more beneficiary than given market women N10,000 to do business. What will N10,000 buy for somebody selling garri for instance?
We laugh over such gesture because if you say anything now people will say that you are playing politics. But this is not politics. We speak the truth the way it is. So if you ask me, Delta State has achieved a lot. Mind you, some states that were created the same time can’t measure up in human capital and infrastructural development.
As the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, would you said that the interest of workers in Delta is paramount?
Well, it is paramount to a large extent, especially under the civil rule because you find Deltans ruling Delta. They listen to us; they are our brothers and sisters. We tell them what the workers want and they listen to us than when the military people were ruling us. Most times because they put on military uniform, they will not listen to us, and we are always on the street fighting and going on strike. But today our brother and father is there. We can go to him; bros this is what the workers want, this is their entitlement and he listens because with this, productivity will increase. Remember civil servants are the drivers of government policy.
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Workers in the state have been expecting the commencement of the payment new minimum wage of N30,000. And, recently, the governor said his government was waiting for the template. What is the situation now?
We are yet to receive the template in Delta State. The fact of the matter is that, some people are doing things the way they like, especially at the federal level. When labour has not agreed on any amount, some people on their own went ahead and put N158 billion in the budget for this year 2019. On their own calculation, they said for level 1-6, they put 66 percent, 7-14 level is 9 percent and for level 15-17 only 5 percent. What type of adjustment is that? When you are talking of relativity, you can’t take a man on level six and give him sixty-six percent, level seven nine percent, the man on level six will be earning more than level seven because before now the difference between level six and seven is not much. Take note, the issue of salary is not what you dabble into without knowing all the technicalities.
As labour leaders, our job is to go into details and to make sure that every labourer is entitle to his/her due. If you are senior to me, you must earn more than me. It is wrong to give one group 66 percent and the others 9, 5 percent as if they just added what they like. To labour, we say no. Whatever that is coming is subject to negotiation and agreement.
Salary and wages are done at the federal level and whatever is adopted or agreed upon will be implemented at the state level. We are waiting for the template. Don’t forget, what the governor said, whatever is approved he will pay. I tell you again, that workers in Delta State are happy and they have no issue with that.
We have talked about Delta State, minimum wage and others. As a labour leader, how do you feel been part of these achievements?
We give all glory to God. Our achievements so far, are geared to make sure workers get their entitlement from their employers (government) and to also ensure there is industrial harmony in the state and wherever there are issues, we draw the attention of our employer. I feel great for the good relationship we enjoy with our employer.
War or frightening is not the best way to achieve success. Dialogue and you will achieve whatever you want, because fighting hampers development and all the parties will be affected.