Obi Invokes No Work, No Pay Rule

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, has declared no work, no pay for striking civil servants in the state.

Obi made the declaration in Awka on Monday while briefing stakeholders on  the state of the state.

Obi explained that his administration was determined to play by the law by paying the N18,000 minimum wage as agreed with the labour in the state.

“I am disappointed to hear on my return to the state that workers had commenced strike in spite of my explanation of the state’s income and my willingness to comply with the new wage.

“I cannot condone any form of rascality in the state any more, hence, the rule of no work, no pay now applies to workers in this state,” Obi said.

The governor said his administration had done so much to ensure the welfare of the civil servants and provisions of infrastructure to enhance the citizens’ well-being.

He disclosed that Anambra was among the few states that achieved developmental strides and expressed displeasure with the non-appreciation by the people of the state.

“I have tried to use democratic templates within my ambit to carry all along but the people have proved ungovernable, so I will apply all my might as governor to deal with all rascality.

“Henceforth, I will not allow siren in the state. Siren would now be used by the governor, his deputy and the speaker of the house of assembly only,’’ he said.

Obi further directed the striking workers in the state to resume work immediately.

He said that grace would be given till September 30 after which non-compliant workers would be assumed to have given up their jobs.

The governor also explained that  labour was insensitive to the state of affairs as he had assured it of the payment of the new wage.

“I have new workers to contend with which the labour has failed to accept not minding the lean resources of the state.

“When I demanded that new workers be included, the outcome turned too much for the state to handle,” he said.

Obi said that he had shown willingness to pay N18,500 as against the N18,000 directed by the Federal Government.

“With this gesture, I feel I should be commended but the reverse is the case. Therefore, I have had enough, and would challenge labour in court,” he declared.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Alfred Achebe, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, urged the governor to calm down while they sought the opinion of the labour leaders in the state.

Reacting also to the stand of the governor, Mr Valentine Ayika, the member representing Njikoka 1 Constituency in the state House of Assembly, advised the governor not to be rash in making decisions on labour matters but rather to dialogue with them.

The Chairman of NLC in the state, Mr Partrick Obianyao, told newsmen that the organised labour had not met with the governor since negotiations started.

Obianyao said labour had only met with the Head of Service, the Secretary to the State Government and the Chairman of the council of elders.

He said the plight of workers was spelt out in those meetings and that the state government had shown unwillingness to pay the new wage.

He alleged that the state administration was high-handed and insensitive to the plight of the people,  and urged workers in the state to stay off  work as the threat was an empty one.

He pleaded with stakeholders to look into the matter without fear or favour.