Rivers
NULGE Gives LG Boss Ultimatum To Reinstate Staff
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State Chapter, has advised the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr Chidi Lloyd to reinstate and pay about 200 staffers of the council he illegally sacked,, within seven days.
NULGE President in the State, Ambassador Clifford Paul, disclosed this shortly after the State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting in Port Harcourt.
According to him, this was because Dr Lloyd had defied all previous interventions, discussions and pleas with him.
Amb. Paul said instead of heeding the union’s pleas and explanations based on facts and civil service rules, the Emohua local government chairman remained adamant.
“Hon. Lloyd has earlier unilaterally sacked over 200 council workers without substantial reasons.
“If he did not reinstate them and pay all salaries owed them, Emohua local government area may be faced with an industrial action.
“He further slashed salaries of some staffers, while some are not paid at all for four months in the local government area and this has worsened the economic woes of our members”, Paul said.
The NULGE boss explained that in 2013 and 2014, the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission authorised the recruitment of persons into the local government system in the state and this was done. At that time, most of the councils paid the staff directly by cash in order to be sure of who their staff was.
He regretted that despite such explanation, Dr Lloyd had refused to co-operate.
“As I speak, other councils are paying except him and this is unacceptable. To drive home our point, therefore, the union scheduled to meet him next Monday in Emohua LGA secretariat. We will mobilise our members across the state for a sit-in there, if he does not rescind his decision”, he stated.
Also speaking, the Publicity Secretary of NULGE in the State, Comrade Opubo S.D. Briggs, expressed disappointment over the actions of Dr Llyod, whom he said, was a beneficiary of 2013/2014 recruitment exercise.
“Hon. Lloyd is a gentleman; a former Leader of the State House of Assembly, one we have great respect for, but for him to turn against his kinsmen and women in this manner is unacceptable. He benefitted from that process too”, Comrade Opubo said.