Govt sets up 27-member committee to resolve salary dispute

chika ebuzor

September 2, 2016 9:41 PM

The Governor said that his action was purely motivated by the need to engender good governance and collective development in the state.

Nasarawa state governor, Tanko Almakura

Speaking at the ceremony at the Presidential Lodge in Lafia, Al-makura said that the state government set up the committee to resolve the dispute on the salary amicably.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state embarked on strike on June 28 to protest downward review of their salary by the state government.

He said that the renegotiation was necessitated by the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to end the impasse between government and labour.

Al-Makura described the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment as a positive one that would offer both parties another chance to reach acceptable compromise on the issue.

The governor said that his action was purely motivated by the need to engender good governance and collective development in the state.

He added that given the current economic reality, the decision to review salaries was one taken in the best interest of the state.

He, however, expressed surprise that the organised labour misinterpreted and kicked against it thereby causing ‘’unnecessary rift’’ between the two parties.

"I have sworn to do things without prejudice, ill will; and that oath of office is what I still hold in my heart. Every of my action is geared toward the benefit of all.

"If in the course of doing my duties, someone finds it distasteful, he or she should go and look at the motive behind such act.

‘’That is the only way we can move forward as a people."

"I want us to see this as not two sides in a ring, but see ourselves as making Nasarawa state stronger.

"We are taking decisions for the ordinary man. I believe we are working toward the same goal."

The governor said that the committee would submit initial report to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Sept. 6.

According to him, a final resolution to be acceptable to both parties is expected to be reached in eight weeks.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, in his vote of thanks, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the committee to find lasting solution to the lingering salary dispute in the state.

Agara assured that the committee would achieve the desired success with the calibre of members drawn from the government, labour and Federal Ministry of Labour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the committee comprises 16 members from the government delegation,11 members from the labour delegation and Federal Ministry of Labour as the arbiter.

NAN also reports that top government officials, labour leaders in the state and officials from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment attended the occasion.

chika ebuzor