NLC The Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwo, has threatened that the Labour Union may join the political imbroglio rocking Rivers State because it affects the welfare of its people.
Agwanwo stated that the political rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the state and the former Governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is causing Governor Fubara distraction which has been affecting workers in the state.
The Rivers State Labour boss attributed the failure of Governor Fubara to satisfy the needs of the state workers to the political crisis between him and former Governor Nyesom Wike. He lamented the failure of Governor Fubara to take any step to ameliorate the hardships inflicted on the state workers due to oil subsidies removal despite the Federal Government's decision to pay its workers an N35,000 wage award. He said the crisis has kept the Governor busy and has not had time to meet with the Labour Union to discuss their welfare.
Agwanwo, speaking in Port Harcourt at their meeting, stated “We categorically condemn in totality the crisis in Rivers State and we call for immediate peace between all the political actors involved so that we can have peace and prosperity in the state. Honestly, this crisis is not helping us. When two elephants fight the grasses suffer. As workers, we are feeling the impact.
“The state is tensed. Our members are beginning to complain about the uprising and how their welfare is now being delayed. The N35,000 wage award has been implemented by the federal government, but the state workers are yet to benefit. We have been engaging the state governor on how to implement this, but due to this crisis, the governor has not been able to have time with us. He has been very busy. For us, this distraction must stop.
“It is affecting governance because the crisis has not given the governor time to concentrate on the issues of the state. In this festive period, we expected that workers would rejoice because we hoped that we would be paid the 13th month which has not happened in this state for years.
“This is what we wanted to discuss with the governor, but with these distractions, we have not been able to meet with the governor who has proven that he is workers friendly.
“If this whole crisis continues and the political actors will not allow peace to reign in this state, workers will have no choice but to make an effort to protect the benefits of our members. We will take every step legally to make sure we advance the course of our members.”
Category: World-News
Tag: NLC Threaten To Go On Strike Over Rivers Political Crisis
Written by Author (author)
Published 12/16/2023 9:28:48 PM