December 02, (THEWILL) – Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has issued a stern warning to state workers participating in the one-week warning strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress , threatening to sack and replace them within 72 hours if they fail to return to their duty posts.
The Ebonyi chapter of the NLC, led by Professor Ogugua Egwu, had on Sunday directed workers in the state to embark on the strike, citing the government’s alleged failure to implement the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government. According to Egwu, the directive to commence the strike was issued by the NLC national leadership.
However, Nwifuru dismissed the allegations, insisting that his administration was compliant with the National Assembly’s minimum wage act and that workers in the state had been paid their salaries, gratuities, and pensions in full.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki on Monday, Nwifuru described the strike as baseless and vowed to enforce disciplinary measures against any worker who failed to report for duty.
He directed the State Civil Service Commission, commissioners, and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies to monitor workers’ attendance, which will now determine salary payments through table payments.
He said, “We are not owing any worker in this state. We are paying the minimum wage as stipulated by the National Assembly. Every worker is being promoted based on merit. If you fail promotion exams, that is not my fault.”
“If you don’t report to work, not only will I withhold your salary, but I will also replace you within 72 hours. Heads of agencies must ensure attendance records are kept. Salaries will be paid only to those who show up for work, based on the number of days they attend.”
The governor also criticised Egwu, questioning his position as NLC chairman in the state, given that he is a federal government employee.
Nwifuru stated that he would not negotiate with Egwu on the matter, describing the union leader’s actions as a mere “empty threat.”
“I have said it before, and I will say it again: I will not negotiate with the NLC chairman. He is not even a state employee. I will be querying his position as NLC chairman in Ebonyi. His actions are nothing but empty threats,”Nwifuru declared.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
