By Rabiu Doma, Nasarawa
The ongoing strike action by Nasarawa state workers has sent jittery to Governor Al-Makura compelling him to employ soldiers as back-up security to the palace of emir of Lafia partly to assuage the monarch’s fears – Chief, Dr.Isa Mustapha Agwai.
Accordingly, 8 Hilux vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Army has taken over the convoy of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura – apart from the normal police pilot.
A source close to the governor tells 247ureports.com that the tight security in the Governor’s convoy may not be unconnected with the ongoing statewide strike embarked by civil servant in the state.
Workers in the state today shutdown Government offices over the non-implementation of promotion, leave grant and increment by the current regime.
Our reporter who went round the office of the Deputy Governor, the premises that housed the office of Secretary to the State Government, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative – and it was shut.
Other ministry and agencies that remain a shut were Ministry of Environment and Community Development, Nasarawa State Electricity Company of Nigeria (NASENCO) ,Nasarawa Urban Development Board (NUDB) Ministry for Women Affairs.
The strike action did not have the typical demonstration by the protesting workers.
It would be recalled that despite the ‘said’ implementation of the new minimum wage by the state Government barely three years in office some workers are yet to feel the impact of promotion accorded them.
In a statement made available to workers by NLC/TUC title Bulletin No 6, The leadership of NLC urged members of the Organized Labour to remain at home pending further directive by the union.
The Bulletin read in part, “In our Bulletin No 5 we did not reach an agreement with the Government and the decision of the union stands, And a 14 days ultimate remains intact.
It further stated that the state Government reach the demand of the organized labour by approving pending 2012 promotion while leave grant and increment were not discuss by the state Government.
The statements called on workers to be steadfast, resolute and committed towards salvaging and protecting the institute.
The state Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura while reacting on the indefinite strike by the organized Labour ,The Governor expressed displeasure over the decision of the state civil service to go on strike over non promotion,salary arrears and increment .
Al-Makura debunked the speculation that the sitting Governor will embark on mass purge of the civil service ,He said frantic measure of the state Government was meant to repositioned the civil service been the engine room of Government.
“The idea of embarking on data capture and screening exercise is to reduce wast of tax-payers money as well restore the sanctity of service to ensure prudent management of resource.
95 percent of the state resource goes to workers salary ,This regime was the first to implement the new minimum wage,He however said the approval was aimed at boosting the morale of workers in the state,He in addition buttress that promotion of civil servants is a not a right but a privilege accorded to civil servants.
