The Bayelsa State Government has appealed to members of the Higher Institutions Joint Action Committee (HIJAC) to shelve their planned street protest in the state on Wednesday.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the appeal at an emergency meeting held with the leadership of HIJAC at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor was quoted as having commended the leadership and members of the union for their patience and understanding so far.
The state Deputy Governor was said to have apologized for the seeming delay on the part of the state government Special Committee on Higher Institutions in turning in its report to enable government take appropriate steps in addressing the issues holistically,pointing out that although the action of HIJAC may be justified, embarking on a street protest at this time to press home their demands would be counter-productive, as government is doing everything possible to tackle their demands.
While assuring the union of the state government’s preparedness to fully engage the HIJAC in the next couple of days to resolve the issues in the best interest of the state, Ewhrudjakpo said government was not unmindful of the sacrifices they had made, just as he thanked the Chairman, the Secretary and other executives of HIJAC for showing a high sense of responsibility and patriotism by honouring the invitation to the meeting at a very short notice.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, the State Chairman of the Higher Institutions Joint Action Committee (HIJAC), Mr Aduba Okilo, said the Union was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.
He, however, said the union leadership had to report to their Congress to enable them decide whether the protest would hold as planned or not.
Okilo said the state government’s Committee on Higher Institutions had been mandated to expeditiously complete its report and submit same to government within two days for approval and immediate implementation.
Also speaking, the State Secretary of HIJAC, Mr. Brambaifa Lucky described the meeting as very fruitful, saying government had shown commitment towards paying attention to the legitimate demands of the union.
He said government would still meet with the unions by Monday next week, when its committee on Higher Institutions should have submitted its report to government for further action.
Present at the meeting were the Chairman, Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Labour Matters, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; the Information Commissioner, Hon. Ayiba Duba; and Technical Adviser to the Governor on Accounts and Revenues, Mr Timipre Seipulou.
Others included a member of the State Government Review Committee on Higher Institutions and former Head of Service, Dr Josephine Igodo; State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade John Ndiomu; and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade Laye Julius.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa