– NLC and TUC say the cancellation is to show their anger at the state government’s treatment of workers
– Labour leaders say it is not true that the state government has paid workers and pensioners
– They said the actions of the state government is affecting the civil service and the lives of workers.
Angry workers in Kogi have vented their anger against the state government by cancelling the celebration of Workers’ Day. Vanguard reports that organised labour in the state said it would not be honouring the May Day event.
Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Onuh Edoka and chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Ojo Ranti said on Sunday, April 30 in Lokoja that the cancellation is to register the displeasure of workers on the way the government has dealt with its members.
Edoka said the non-payment of salaries of workers, pensioners in over a year has destroyed the civil service and the workforce of the state.
“The non-payment of salaries and pensions has led to loss of lives bringing untold hardship to the workers in the state. “In the face of this situation, it is advisable for workers not to make themselves available for any act of molestation, harassment and intimidation by security agencies.”
He also described as totally false the publication on the social media credited to aides of Governor Yahaya Bello that all workers have been paid.
It was reported just recently that Dino Melaye, a Senator representing Kogi West had advised President Muhammadu Buhari on what to do regarding the Paris Club Refund to states.
He said the president should stop the allocation of 2nd tranche of the refund to states that owe salaries. The senator singled out his home state – Kogi, where he said the funds have been misused by the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
