Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has appealed to the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve it planned strike for peace and industrial harmony.
This is because negotiations are still on and government is doing its best to improve the living standard of the people despite the challenges and paucity of funds available to the state both from the Internally generated revenue and the Statutory allocation.
The Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Noel Berje said government is workng relentlessly to ensure that all pending labour-related issues are addressed swiftly.
Governor Sani Bello explained that the state government has already commenced the implementation of the National Minimum Wage assuring that its consequential adjustment and arrears will be paid as soon as government and labour conclude negotiations.
“We are still negotiating with the Labour, we intend to avert the industrial action and we are calling on the Organised Labour to rescind its decision to embark on the strike and allow negotiations to continue and consequently conclude arrangement”.
The meeting between key government officials led by the Deputy Governor, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso and the Labour officials is expected to continue on the fourth of this month and the outcome of the meeting will be made public.
The Governor noted that, although 85% of the state’s allocation goes to payment of salaries, government has remained committed to the welfare of the state civil servants and will not relent until an agreement is reached.
On the security challenges confronting the state,Governor Sani Bello pointed out that government would continue to do its best to protect the lives and property of the people.
“Let me also assure you ,that government is evolving new strategies as well as encouraging community policing to address the banditry attacks and kidnapping. We are ready to bring to an to the menace”.
