Delta council dismisses alleged attack on NULGE chairman

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council in Delta state, Uche Osadebe on Thursday dispelled as untrue, allegations of official high- handedness, threats and intimidation of workers by suspected who allegedly manhandled the Chairman of the council’s chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Mary Jane Obiazor.

Osadebe while addressing journalists in Asaba, said that it was true there were issues between him and the council’s chapter of NULGE over repairs of two vehicles being used by the union, adding that N250, 000 and the subsequent request for the release of one of the vehicles to enable the council carry out its weekly environmental.

He stated that in February, the matter came to a head when the NULGE chairman again refused to release the union’s vehicle to the council, an action that forced him to direct that the vehicle be towed to my office and the deflating of the tyres.

The council boss added that he had already made money available to effect repairs on the vehicle which has been done, insisting however, that since the vehicle was bought by the council, it is expected that when the need arises, the union should make it available for use.

He assured that the matter has been resolved amicably upon the intervention of a security agency which convened a meeting between the council’s leadership and the NULGE.

The state chapter of the union, in reacting to the alleged assault, directed Oshimili South Council workers to down tools.

But, when contacted, the council chapter Chairman, Comrade Mary Jane Obiazor denied being manhandled by hired thugs, adding that “the matter has been resolved and I was not manhandled. I can’t speak on the matter again because the DSS waded into the matter and it was resolved.”