By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja – Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has called on the three tiers of government to relate more among themselves in spite of political differences for sustainable development.
The advice is contained in statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media.
The statement said Wike made the call when the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, paid him a courtesy call in his office in Port Harcourt.
He said the issues of development should always receive priority attention despite political differences.
Wike said placing development above partisanship would enhance partnership between the Federal and State Governments to transform the country.
He commended the leadership style of the minister by setting aside politics to liaise with the Rivers State Government on the development of a credible insurance scheme for state government workers.
The governor urged his guest to give priority attention to the welfare of workers and pensioners.
Wike said that the state government would study and buy into the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund programme under the Employment Compensation Act.
Earlier, Ngige had described political parties as vehicles to specific destinations where leaders are empowered to enthrone development.
According to him, the existence of political parties should not affect the delivery of development projects.
He said he was in the state to promote the Employment Compensation Act.
The minister said that the Act made it mandatory for employers to take care of the fundamental insurance needs of workers in the area of death, accident and emergency health needs.
Ngige said he was introducing the scheme to state governments beginning from Rivers because it was strategic in the welfare of the living and deceased workers.
He said that the private sector had already keyed into the implementation of the Act.