Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State has warned that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and his army of appointees may be stranded at the close of the first tenure if all sundry issues around the workers and their salary arrears are left unresolved.
The group called on Bello to take urgent step in ensuring quick resolution of the lingering government-labour impasse that has crippled economic activities in the state.
This is coming just as the organized labour in the State has called on civil servants to begin a 3-day corporate prayers with fasting from Wednesday, October 11.
They urged Kogi workers to observe the 3-day fasting and prayers in their respective estates, settlements and villages from Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th October 2017 as from 10.00 am each day.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of the group, Alhaji Yakubu Asipita and Secretary, Mr Bodunrin Olufemi, the group lamented that the continued silence of the state government over the current strike action by organised labour in the state is a neglect of government’s primary responsibility.
“The government should take its destiny in its hand by resolving all issues relating to salaries of workers because the Governor and his group would be left with no goodwill to seek reelection if all sundry issues are left unresolved.”
The State had been grounded by the industrial action embarked upon by the organized labour since September 22 to press home their demands for the payment of their salary arrears, leave bonus arrears and cash backing for promotions among others.
According to the statement “All government health centres and public secondary schools have remained closed for three weeks running and government do not seem to be bothered about the untold hardship that the citizens are currently going through.
The group pointed out that the already economic-beaten people of the state are finding it difficult to access basic health services as their children are thrown out of schools, wondering “if officials of this government would have maintained sealed lips if their children are directly involved”
The group also called on the state government to set up negotiating team immediately to dialogue with labour with a view to resolving the impasse.
The statement however took a swipe at the political leaders of the state who are busy strategising for 2019 elections while the would-be electorate are dying of treatable diseases.
They also called on traditional rulers to rise to defend their subjects by telling the truth to this government to be more humane in handling the affairs of the people of Kogi State.
The group however called on the organised labour to show concern for the suffering masses by not insisting that all their demands be met before calling off the strike.
The labour leaders in their directives asked all Muslims yo pray in their respective Mosques during the Juma’at Prayer, on Friday 13th October 2017, while Christians are to do the same on Sunday 15thOctober 2017 in their respective Churches during the Sunday Service.
They asked all that have received the so-called balance of July salary to be benevolent to those that have been without salary all these while, even though it is not sufficient.
“You are advised that in your spending, let emphasis be on food as salary payment is not yet guaranteed in this state. Workers who are fond of being used to lure others to offices through text messages and phone calls are advised to desist henceforth, as their contacts will soon be made public as saboteurs, the statement read in parts.”
The Labour union urged workers to stay away from government offices as the strike continue indefinitely.
Credit: nationalupdate.com.ng
