The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, on Thursday, took decisive steps towards addressing the plight of workers at the St. Gabriel Coconut Plantation and Oil Refinery, spread across Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas, who have been owed seven months salary arrears.
This was sequel to a motion raised by the Member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Hon. Uwem Peter Imoh-ita, who drew the attention of the House to the urgent need for government intervention on the plight of workers.
The Mkpat Enin lawmaker noted that the affected workers, employed since 2016 as part of the State’s agricultural and industrial development drive, had their salaries abruptly stopped in December 2024 without formal communication.
The motion, seconded by Hon. Selina Ukpatu of Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency, highlighted the untold hardship faced by the workers, many of whom are breadwinners, and emphasised that the non-payment was in contravention of labour laws and constitutional provisions guaranteeing fair wages.
Following extensive deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.( Elder) Udeme Otong, constituted a Joint House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commerce and Industry, Labour and Productivity to engage with the Commissioner for Agriculture and that of Labour Matters with a mandate to report back to the House within one month.
The House urged the State Government to urgently pay the seven months’ salary arrears and entitlements of the affected workers, redeploy workers to relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) if the plantation and refinery are found to be non-functional or operating below capacity.
The lawmakers also called for the establishment of a sustainable salary payment plan for all State agricultural projects to prevent similar issues in the future.
The motion was underscored by the Biblical principle in 1 Timothy 5:18 which admonishes that “The labourer is worthy of his wages, further reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to protecting the dignity of labour and upholding workers’ rights in Akwa Ibom State.
Press Unit,
Office of the Speaker,
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
