Kogi workers now IDPs –NLC

*Plans to shut down of Government House

Idu Jude, Abuja

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has declared workers under the civil service of Kogi State as internally displaced people (IDPs) in their state, just as it has declared war on the governor whom it said has remained defiant to the yelling of the people.

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), comrade Ayuba Waba, stated this Tuesday, while receiving the report of NLC Committee on Restructuring put up to mold the opinion of Nigerian workers on the ongoing agitation for restructuring Nigeria.

Comrade Waba, noted that the picketing has become necessary now that lives of most of the workers are currently in a pitiable situation, while others have died in the struggle.

According to him, the disturbing report in the state, recently have generated concerns and should be taken to the National assembly for quick action. “the issue of civil servants committing suicide while suffering over unpaid salary arrears attracts the wrath of the labour union. We will take action because the Governor has been so irresponsible and I must tell you that what happens in the state is so disturbing. We also have noted some of the unacceptable comments of the Governor, who had said that he, owe only two months salaries, while a Director, died while being owed 11 months’ salary areas under the present administration”.

Comrade Waba, also said that the NLC’s decision to go into a war part with the Governor, was also born out of the Governor’s penchant to ignore calls for a tripartite meeting with the NLC in finding a lasting solution to and the sufferings of the workers in the state. We preparing to go to Kogi state to slenderize with our workers and we a here sending a note of warning for the Governor to prepare for us because we are going to Kogi to die with our fellow Nigerian workers. We also aware of how the man tries to kill journalists who refuses his money but I must tell you that we are going to Kogi with our journalists and he may not find anybody to bribe

On receiving the reports of the restructuring committee, he explained that the setting ups the committees was formed out of the recently concluded colloquium organized by the Nigerian labour congress to molding the opinion of the Nigerian workers din the current agitation on the need to restructure Nigeria. “ we put up this committee just to harmonize the contributions of all the speakers during the colloquium and we also believed that the committee worked assiduously to ensure that the report is timely.

Further on the restructuring report, the NLC president, stressed the need for the Nigerian workers to make a stand and speak with one voice in policy making in Nigeria. “ with the timely presentation of this report, there is the need for immediate meeting of the National working body of the NLC to harmonize the report as soon as possible and to make available the official position of the Nigerian workers on restructuring and power devolution”.

Commenting on the need for the Buhari administration to straighten the war on corruption, he said that the Government was quick to arrest a situation which would have been a smear on the efforts of Government to stamping out corruption in the country. “few days ago, we received a shocking news but the decision has been reversed but be that as it may, the issue of corruption, must be addressed in its entirety”.

Comrade Waba, while eliciting questions from journalist, said that his leadership will soon name names of the state Governors who have failed to make judicious use of the Paris fund stating that the Labour union must demand for accountability on whatever it takes to bring such Governors to book.

Meanwhile, leadership of Nigeria Labour congress has berated the Federal Government on the no-work no-pay proposal as a punishment to striking workers over unpaid salary areas. Aliyu Waba, explained that labour law all over the world, recognizes the refusal to work if the employer fails to honour his own side of the agreement. According to him, the law have been there and should be interpreted accordingly and should not be implemented one sided. “the argument cannot stand because the law was made for the both worker and the employer but in a situation where the employer has failed to honour his own side of the agreement, then the law should not be interpreted one sided and I must tell you the worker can also withdraw its services with this I can tell you that striking is legal in a situation where salaries are not paid as at when due,” he said.