Commission Charges NULGE To Reconsider Strike Option

The Rivers State Local
Government Service Commission has appealed to the state branch of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) to shelve its planned industrial action.
The Acting chairman of the commission, Engr. Kingston I. Jaja, who said this at a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administration of the 23 Local Government Areas said that the commission had just been informed of the union’s grievances and assured that the commission would do everything within its powers to address the issues raised by the union.
Jaja said that the commission was committed towards treating every problem with fairness, stating that due process would be followed in all matters brought before the commission while urging Heads of Local Government Administrations to take complete charge of affairs in their respective councils, the commission chairman warned them against succumbing to pressures from the political class to take wrong decisions, noting that their actions would make or mar development in the councils.
Jaja also stressed the need for the Heads of Local Governments Administration to always consult the commission before taking vital decision on controversial issues on their respective councils.
According to him, the commission is making concerted efforts to improve the welfare of staff, especially retirees of the commission and urged them to make adequate provision for Pension Desk Officers posted to their area.
In his response, the state president of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employmees (NULGE), Barrister Franklin Ajunwo, told the commission that the strike was to protest the non-payment of minimum wage of N18,000 by 18 out of the 23 local government areas in the state.
Ajunwo also decried the non remittance of check off dues and payment of rent of station allowances, stressing that the strike action would only affect 18 local government areas.