Government announces six-month underwater welding training for 93 youths, cites ₦80,000 minimum wage
By Ernest Akpan
The Akwa Ibom State Government has initiated moves to resolve labour-related complaints involving Sterling Global, including alleged disparities in workers’ wages, working hours, employment practices and compliance with labour laws.
The Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno on Labour, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan, disclosed this during a ministerial media briefing on the achievements of the Ministry of Labour and Manpower since the inception of the administration.
Akpan, who cohosted the media briefing with the Hon. Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Elder Ikoedem Ekong, said Governor Eno had intervened in the matter by convening a meeting with Sterling Global’s Managing Director and management team, alongside relevant government officials and stakeholders, to address the concerns and establish a framework for resolving them.
He said a joint committee comprising representatives of the state government and Sterling Global had been established to document the complaints and engage the company on measures to address them.
According to him, the issues under consideration include workers’ safety, working hours, remuneration, alleged discrimination in wage regimes and the employment of indigenes.
The labour adviser said the government was particularly concerned about reported disparities between workers performing similar jobs in Lagos and those working in Akwa Ibom, adding that the matter had been tabled for discussion with the company.
“We are discussing with them on the issue of complying with labour laws and regulations on employment, hours of work and pay,” he said.
Akpan expressed optimism that the outstanding issues would be substantially addressed before the end of December, noting that the governor was committed to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that multinational companies operating in the state complied with applicable labour standards.
He also raised concerns about land acquisition by companies operating in the state, urging community leaders and residents to exercise greater responsibility in transactions involving their ancestral lands.
According to him, the government is working towards a framework that would provide clearer guidelines for land transactions and help prevent disputes between host communities and investors.
Sterling Global to train 93 youths
Also speaking at the briefing, a government representative announced that Sterling Global would sponsor underwater welding training for 93 indigenes of Akwa Ibom State.
He said each of the state’s 31 local government areas had been directed to nominate three candidates for the six-month training programme in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The initiative, he said, was part of efforts to improve the technical skills of indigenes and expand their access to employment opportunities in specialised industrial operations.
The government expressed optimism that the training would enhance local participation in the oil and gas sector, particularly in technical areas requiring specialised expertise.
Akwa Ibom pays ₦80,000 minimum wage
On workers’ remuneration, the government representative said Akwa Ibom had raised its minimum wage to ₦80,000, exceeding the ₦70,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
He explained that the state government increased the amount by ₦10,000 above the national benchmark, adding that further decisions would depend on the outcome of subsequent national wage negotiations and the position adopted by the state.
Government reviews salaries in tertiary institutions
The briefing also highlighted salary reviews and other welfare measures introduced for workers in the state’s tertiary institutions.
Akpan said the government had approved salary adjustments for academic and non-academic staff in selected institutions following recommendations by the Ministry of Labour and Manpower.
According to him, academic staff in the institutions benefited from increases of 25 per cent, while non-academic staff received 20 per cent increases. Professors were granted a 30 per cent increase under the reviewed remuneration arrangements.
He said the adjustments covered the Akwa Ibom State University, the state’s College of Education, the polytechnic and the School of Health Technology, among other institutions mentioned during the briefing.
The labour adviser said the measures were intended to improve staff welfare and complement the administration’s interventions in the education and health sectors.
He added that the government had also reviewed the allowances of heads of local government services to strengthen their remuneration and ensure that their responsibilities were appropriately reflected in their earnings.
Health workers benefit from salary increases
Akpan further disclosed that the Ministry of Labour and Manpower collaborated with the Ministry of Health on salary adjustments for medical personnel.
He said doctors received a 40 per cent salary increase, while other categories of medical workers benefited from a 30 per cent increase.
The measures, he explained, were part of the administration’s broader efforts to improve working conditions, strengthen public services and retain skilled personnel in critical sectors.
Government addresses oil spill concerns
On complaints relating to oil spills in communities affected by industrial activities, the government representative said relevant regulatory agencies and the state Ministry of Environment were responsible for investigating incidents, identifying the companies involved and coordinating clean-up operations.
He cited reported oil spill incidents in communities around Ibeno, including areas mentioned at the briefing, saying the Ministry of Environment had assessed the affected locations and that relevant agencies were taking action.
He said further interventions would be considered as the investigations and response efforts progressed.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening industrial relations, improving workers’ welfare and ensuring that host communities benefit more meaningfully from economic activities within Akwa Ibom State.
