Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has approved
the payment of the shortfalls of October and November 2016 salaries of workers
and other demands of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
Al-Makura gave the approval when he met with the
embattled Chairman of the union in the state, Mr Abdullahi Adeka and his team
at the Government House in Lafia on Thursday.
According to Al-Makura, the approval of the demands of the
NLC is to strengthen the relationship between government and the labour union
and prove to them that the current administration prioritises the welfare of
workers.
He said cordial relationship was necessary for a
better understanding between both parties.
He assured that the administration was
committed to workers’ welfare and ensure they carried out their duties in
a conducive environment.
“This government under my leadership has come a long way
with labour. We have been partners in progress. We have always been together.
“I am so happy that we have now resolved to work together
for the development and progress of the people of Nasarawa state”, he said.
Al-Makura added that apart from the payment of the
shortfalls of October and November salaries which will be paid before the end
of the month, government had also approved the commencement of promotion of
workers.
“I have approved the commencement of interview for promotion
of all cadres of workers. The office of Head of Service has packaged a team
that will commence the promotion interviews.
“I have also directed that the Head of Service should
commence the process of the payment of the shortfalls of the October and
November salaries by the end of this month”, he added.
The governor also said his administration converted 191
casual staff to permanent and pensionable staff and offered employment to 4,500
youths into the Nasarawa state Youth Empowerment Scheme (NAYES) from 2016 to
2017.
Al-Makura assured the workers that his administration
had released more than N300 million for payment of pension arrears, saying
he would also pay attention to local government workers welfare and
emoluments.
He thanked the union for suspending its strike to
allow for a constructive dialogue between government and labour to take
place.
“When the idea of strike comes, what really shakes me as
governor is not whether the offices are open or closed but what happens to
people that require our services to survive.
“It is devastating for a state to go on strike. As far as I
am concerned, there is no strike in Nasarawa state”, he said.
Mr Abdullahi Adeka, the embattled Chairman of the NLC,
said the aim of the union’s visit was to intimate the governor of their support
for his policies toward improving the welfare of workers and appealed for more
support.
According to him, NLC called off the strike
considering the plight of the ordinary citizens of the state and the state
government’s willingness to improve workers’ welfare.
“We are here to appreciate everything you are doing in this
state and to give you the most needed support and loyalty at this critical
point in time. We are ready to partner with you throughout the remaining of
your tenure in office”, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that organised
labour in the state had embarked on an indefinite strike from May 12 to
demand payment of salaries and other entitlements.
A faction had removed Adeka as NLC chairman
over alleged fraternity with the state government to the detriment of
workers.
The faction replaced Adeka with the
vice-chairman, Mr Bala Umar.
Adeka, however, refused to relinquish the position,
insisting that he was the legitimate chairman of NLC in the state.
According to him, it was illegal to remove him from office
in his absence.
“Only the national secretariat of the union can remove me
from office.’’
(NAN)
