Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has waded into the labour crisis rocking Emohua Local Government Area and successfully resolved the dispute between the council and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
The governor’s intervention came after NULGE declared a seven-day warning strike across all 23 local government areas in protest of Emohua Council Chairman, Dr. Chidi Lloyd’s alleged suspension of salaries of about 300 workers.
Summoning both Lloyd and NULGE leadership to Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara brokered a peace deal that brought the two parties to an understanding.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Lloyd praised the governor’s decisive role, saying Fubara’s clear directives diffused what could have escalated into a major standoff.
“I have to, in a very special way, thank the Governor of Rivers State for his intervention in what would have been a disagreement between NULGE and the management of Emohua Local Government Area,” Lloyd said. “The governor has issued very clear directives and we are all on the same page. The Council and the Local Government Service Commission will now take it further, and we will soon unveil our resolutions.”
He also commended NULGE for calling off the strike, stressing that the council’s position was not personal but geared towards transparency in the system.
On his part, Rivers NULGE President, Clifford Paul, confirmed that workers had been directed to resume duties immediately following the governor’s mandate for a harmonious resolution.
“So, on behalf of the State Council of NULGE, I enjoin all our members to resume work. All branch chairmen and state officers are hereby directed to call off the strike,” he said.
The Chairman of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Israel Amadi, also lauded Fubara for intervening swiftly to restore industrial peace.
“His Excellency has given his mandate, and we want to thank him for his timely intervention. We trust that all resolutions will be implemented as agreed,” Amadi stated.
With the strike now suspended, activities across the 23 local government areas are expected to return to normal.
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