A group, Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged,
CENTREP has issued the Delta State Government seven days notice to defray the
thirteen months’ salaries being owed local government workers with the Paris
Club loan refund.
CENTREP handed down the notice in a statement signed by its
Executive Director, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi.
The group also threatened to institute a “public interest
suit” against the Delta State Government”, to enforce the fundamental rights of
council workers across the 25 Local Government Council Areas in the State.
While noting that the workers in the twenty five local
government councils were being owed thirteen months salary arrears, CENTREP
condemned the act, saying,” It is a crime against humanity.”
“It is on the basis of the above development we call for the
amendment of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make
the third tier of Government autonomous.
“We call on the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi
Okowa to immediately use part of the over 150 billion naira Paris Fund refund
money to defray the 13 months’ salary arrears of Council workers across the 25
Local Government Council Areas of the State, as we believe that nonpayment of
the salary arrears is an invitation to hunger and starvation.
“Hunger and starvation no doubt are a twin threat to the
right to life of the average Nigerian worker who toils night and day to eke out
a living for himself and his family.
“Under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria (as amended) the Fundamental Rights of the average Nigerian
worker to life is guaranteed, and we shall not hesitate to enforce same in any
Law Court within the Nigerian Federation.”
CENTREP stated that the State Governors were depriving the
local governments, whose monthly allocations from the Federation Account were
paid into a Joint Account.
By Matthew Omonigho
