Niger
State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has described as unfortunate
the strike embarked upon by the state civil servants, insisting that
the action was inimical to the development of the state.
The
governor at an enlarged state executive council meeting in Minna
yesterday said the new salary regime was not unilaterally arrived at but
"was carefully reached after wide consultations with all stakeholders
and in the interest of the state".
He
accused the labour of being unnecessarily rigid, as government has
shifted ground with to 90 percent salary in July as against the 70
percent that was paid last month.
He
also dispelled allegation that government action only singled out the
civil servants to bear the effect of the on-going economic challenges in
the state. The governor insisted that the 70/30 percent ration adopted
by his administration was to ensure even spread of both the gains and
risks of the present financial realities.
Gov.
Sani Bello recalled he had a five-hour meeting with the labour till the
early hours of Monday morning in order to forestall the strike but
lamented that labour refused to accept government gesture at the
meeting.
He
said presented details of the incomes of the state and the on-going
developmental projects at the meeting with labour. This he said was to
enable the organised labour understand the efforts of the government but
regretted that they still resorted to their action.
"I
had a meeting with the labour and I gave details of our incomes, the
on-going developmental projects and why we have to sacrifice today for
the future of our children, who are leaders tomorrow but from the action
of the workers it is clear that they are only interested in their
salary alone.
"They
are not bordered about the state of our schools, all the labour wants
is for us to use all we have for their salaries. I told them that we
have to attend to the critical areas as highlighted in our cardinal
priority programmes. That is why we are fixing our schools in Izom,
Bida, at Maryam Babangida Girls, Bosso, Kutigi, Kontagora and Rijau. The
work in these schools are there for all to see.
"I
have made it categorically clear that the 70/30 percent ration is not a
policy. It is a temporary arrangement. If tomorrow our FAAC is
increases, workers take home will also increase.
"I
have no intention to punish anybody. If I have a revenue of N5 billion,
I will gladly pay the N2.4 billion wage bill and I still have what to
work with. Of what gain is it to me to deny workers their pay?" the
governor asked.
On
looted funds by some former political office holders, the governor
said, investigations are on-going and assured the entire populace that
government would ensure recovery of the state's commonwealth.
The
governor who said he was open to discussion on how to resolved the
on-going em-passe, called on well meaning Nigerlites to prevail on
labour stressing that government action was in the interest of all.
He
acknowledged the statesmanship support and efforts of Engineer
Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure, a former governor in the state, Alhaji
Abubakar Mogaji and other stakeholder at ensuring peaceful resolution of
the industrial action by labour.
The
governor assured the people that his administration will continue to be
transparent and accountable adding that he was committed to restore the
glory of the state.
End.
Jibrin Baba Ndace
Chief Press Secretary
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