Alex Agwanwor, the Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman in Rivers State, has highlighted the ongoing local government office lockdown, saying that the earlier the Inspector General and police provide peace and order within the councils and also allowing workers to go back to their duties, the better.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Agwanwor explained that the tenure of the former local government chairmen ended on the 17th of June. Following this, the governor handed over leadership to the heads of local government areas in the councils. The next day, a caretaker committee was appointed to manage the 23 local government areas. Subsequently, the Nigeria police directed that they take charge of all 23 local governments to prevent potential violence from outgoing chairmen who might attempt to cause disruptions.
Agwanwor expressed concerns, stating, “Our members are not allowed access into the secretariat to carry out their legitimate duties.” This prompted the union to hold a press conference and write to the commissioner of police, security agencies, and the Inspector General, emphasising that while they support police efforts to ensure security, they are troubled by the restriction preventing workers from performing their duties.
The union issued an ultimatum until Monday, the 24th of June, but discovered a plot by some politicians to incite violence under the guise of labour. Consequently, they suspended all strike actions to avoid escalation and advised members to await further instructions.
Communication from the governor directed local government workers to work from home, creating a virtual environment, which Agwanwor said was an effort to “prevent violence that haters of Rivers State want to bring upon the state.” The governor also instructed caretaker committee executives to find alternative spaces for their duties.
Despite ongoing security measures, the union remains concerned about the indefinite court process.
Agwanwor noted, “We appreciate the fact that the police are providing security for law and order, but as soon as there is peace, the workers in the local government should be allowed to access their duty posts.”
He emphasised, “The earlier the IG and police provide peace and order within the councils and allow workers to go back to their legitimate duties, the better.”
Agwanwor stressed the impact of the lockdown on local government functions, from community healthcare to sanitation, and criticised the prolonged court processes, expressing concern for the welfare of workers.
“The salaries for the local government workers are ongoing, but we cannot allow our members to suffer a crisis they did not cause,” he said.
Agwanwor concluded by condemning any attempt to instigate violence in Rivers State.
He asserted, “Rivers State is a peaceful state, one of the most accommodating in Nigeria, and it will continue to be so.”
NNEOMA UDENSI
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