NEWS
Enugu Workers Pledge to Reciprocate Mbah’s Welfare Package with Productivity
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
Following the recent salary increment of staff of Enugu State Civil Service and other workers across the state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, workers have assured the governor of dedication to duties through improved productivity in order to actualize the goals of the administration.
The jubilant workers who spoke through their leaders, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Ben Asogwa, yesterday, gave the assurance in their separate speeches at the 2024 Resumption of Year Prayer held at the State Secretariat, Enugu.
The NLC State Chairman, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, applauded Enugu State workers for their attitudinal change to work since the inception of the present administration, stressing that the governor has restored hope of the workers through improved welfare package, better working environment and implemented wage award.
According to him, “Workers in Enugu State are glad and happy with the governor and his administration. His Excellency has promised that as soon as he is dropping the ₦25,000 wage award, he is picking the new minimum wage”.
The NLC chairman, however, disclosed that labour leaders were working hard to bring parastatals into the mainstream of the civil service so that the issue of disparity within the service would be solved.
He extolled the governor over the ongoing revolution in infrastructures such as road construction and reconstruction, construction of smart school system, overhauling of the health sector, environmental sanitation and cleanliness, availability of water supply, among other development and social service projects.
On his part, the TUC chairman appreciated the State Government for the cordial relationship that exists between the Government and the workers, adding that the governor would continue to enjoy the support and cooperation of workers in the state because of the initiatives of his administration which are impacting positively on workers’ welfare.
“Your Excellency, the workers are ready. We are out to support this government. The workers are diligently ready and committed to help drive the policies of your administration. We are going to be more productive, as productivity is the main part of the framework that would enhance our collective success,” he stressed.
He further assured the state government of workers’ commitment to improve service delivery through measurable outputs, saying he was optimistic that workers would do their best for the progress and development of the state.
Speaking, the governor stressed that God has been merciful to the state and its people, saying that the grace of God is sufficient for the people and prayed for good health, wisdom, peace and strength over the government and the people living in the state to discharge their responsibilities.
“Every day we come here to work, we must pray. We pray for protection, for promotion, pray for the growth of Enugu State,” he said.
Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, said the administration had taken measures to improve the productivity of workers in the state even as he promised to continue to do more.
While commending the relationship between the labour unions and the state government, he said, “We’ve been partnering Labour leaders so that you will become part of the optimization. We have been engaging Labour leaders and were able to achieve what we had been able to achieve”.
He called for increased collaboration among workers, urging them to work hard to achieve the transformational agenda of the administration.
He said the administration was mindful of the inflation and increasing cost of living in the country and would continue to improve workers’ standard of living.
“I want you to understand that His Excellency is not averse to helping the workers improve their welfare. We are in Nigeria, and we understand the cost of living. We understand inflation. When we hear of potholes in revenue, we want to increase the revenue in Enugu State so that the workers in Enugu will be one of the best paid public servants in Nigeria,” he added.
While stating that security has improved significantly in the state which makes it the safest state for investment and business in the region, he recalled that on assumption of office, he promised to provide the people with sufficient potable water in 180days and it was achieved, explaining that over 60 thousand cubic meters of water are generated daily even as old and burst pipes are undergoing replacement to capture more areas.
He urged the workers to work towards achieving the target of the 2024 budget, tagged ‘Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth’, saying that the actualization of the budget would improve their wage packages, transform the state and make it an investment hub.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed its members to comply with the directive of the two labour centres to begin an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.
Its General Secretary, Mr Afolabi Olawale, in a statement on Saturday, said the union was committed to ensuring total compliance with the directive.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) declared an indefinite nationwide strike to begin on Monday, to express their grievances over the proposed new minimum wage.
.In a joint statement signed by NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero and TUC President, Mr Festus Osifo, the centres declared the strike over the tripartite committee’s inability to agree on a new minimum wage and the hike in electricity tariff.
Afolabi said the union was concerned and disturbed with the insensitive attitude of the federal government “to the very critical issue of negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers”.
“This is in view of the various socio- economic policies of this administration that have impoverished the working people of this country.
“Leaders of our great union at all levels, from the units, zones and branches, should immediately put all processes in place to ensure total compliance with this directive.”
Also, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) said it was mobilising its members to embark on the strike following the directive of NLC and TUC.
The Acting. General Secretary, Mr Dominic Igwebike, gave the directive to the members in a statement.
Igwebike said that along with the reasons of inconclusive negotiations on the minimum wage and electricity tariff hike, apartheid categorisation of Nigeria electricity consumers into bands was another, to embark on the strike.
“Given the above, all national, state, and chapter executives are requested to start the mobilisation of our members in total compliance with this directive to ensure the government does the right thing as stated above.
“The withdrawal of services becomes effective on Sunday 2nd June by 12.00 midnight, “ the union leader said. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The Supreme Court yesterday, ordered the Governors of the 36 States of the Federation, to within seven days, enter their defence to the suit the Federal Government filed to secure full autonomy for the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The order followed an application that FG, through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for accelerated hearing of the matter and for the abridgment of the time allowed for all state governors to file their response to the suit.
In its ruling, a seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Lawal, said the AGF should upon receipt of the processes containing defence of the governors, respond to it within two days.
The panel fixed June 13 to commence full-blown hearing of the matter.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the body of Attorneys General of the States, Mr. Ben Odoh, who is the Attorney General of Ebonyi State, was present during the proceeding.
Mr. Odoh told the apex court that he was not opposed to the request for the abridgment of the hearing date.
However, he requested for the respondents to be allowed to file their defence to the matter, within 15 days.
While declining to extend the time for the respondents, Justice Lawal said the decision of the apex court was hinged on the fact that the matter is of utmost national importance as well as the urgency of the case.
The court directed that filing of all processes and exchanging of same must be completed before the next adjourned date.
Those that had no legal representation even though they were served with the hearing notice were the Attorneys General of Borno, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Sokoto states.
The Justice Lawal-led panel orders that they should be served with a fresh hearing notice to enable them to attend the next sitting.
FG had in the suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, prayed the Supreme Court to okay full autonomy for all the LGAs in the country as the third tier of government.
It prayed the court to issue an order, prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.
As well as for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channeled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.
Besides, FG, prayed the Supreme Court for an order, stopping governors from further constituting Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the Constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system.
It equally applied for an order of injunction, restraining the governors, their agents and privies, from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.Governors of the 36 States were sued through their respective Attorneys General.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf on Thursday met with National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja where they discussed issues concerning the Kano Emirship tussle.
This was contained in a statement issued by Yusuf’s Director-General, Media and Publicity, Malam Sunusi Tofa, in Kano.
Tofa said the meeting was prompted by recent events in Kano following the dissolution of five emirates and the restoration of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II.
Tofa said that the two leaders deliberated on various matters relating to state and national development as well as peaceful coexistence in the state.
Emir Ado Bayero is in court challenging the reinstatement of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II by the Kano State government.
While Sanusi is operating from the Emir’s Palace, Bayero is holding forth at the Emir’s Guest House.
Tofa quoted Yusuf as describing the meeting as fruitful and emphasised the critical role of NSA in ensuring peace in the country.
“I briefed him on the recent developments in Kano, and we discussed ways to promote national security and development,” he Tofa quoted Yusuf as saying.
The meeting comes after the NSA was accused of meddling in the Kano crisis, which he swiftly denied.
The Kano State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Gwarzo, had apologised to the NSA for the allegation, attributing it to flawed intelligence.
The meeting coincided with Sanusi’s sixth day at the Kano palace, where a significant majority of district heads and kingmakers have pledged their allegiance to him.
The state government has assured that Kano remains peaceful and tranquil, urging residents to continue their regular activities in compliance with the laws of the land.
Sanusi Makes First Appointment amid Emirship Tussle
In as much as the controversy trailing Kano Emirate tussle continues, the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II had on Thursday made his first appointment.
This was coming barely a week after he was reinstalled as the Emir.
Sanusi, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, approved the appointment of a new Ward Head of Kofar Mazugal, Hamisu Sani in Dala Local Government area of the state.
The Emir called on the new ward Head to ensure peaceful coexistence among the subjects of the area and contribute his quota towards the development of the state as a whole.Earlier, district heads and personalities such as delegations from religious and market bodies paid homage to Emir Sanusi at the palace.
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