By Tina AmandaÂ
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State have called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene and instruct the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, to allow legitimate workers access to their offices in various Local Government Councils.
This appeal was made in a communique issued at the end of an emergency joint State Administrative Council (SAC) meeting held in Port Harcourt on Friday, June 21, 2024, in response to recent developments in the state’s political situation.
The Unions commended the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force on their proactiveness in maintaining Law and Order in the heat of recent political upheavals. While emphasizing the need for law enforcement to facilitate the smooth functioning of local governance by ensuring workers can perform their duties without obstruction.
Both Council commended the State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the constitution and inauguration of the
Administrative Caretaker of the twenty-three (23) Local Government Councils.
“Sequel to unfolding developments in the political landscape of Rivers
State as it affects the good workers of Rivers State has necessitated an emergency Joint State Administrative Council (SAC) meeting of both
NLC and TUC to appraise the array of actions of the various political actors and the roles being carried out by the instruments of State Institutions, considering the implications and multiplier effects on not only the working people of Rivers State but also the generality of Rivers people.
“However, the Councils-in-session frowns seriously that, the sealing of the twenty-three (23) Local Government
Councils Secretariat by men and officers of the Nigeria Police force for the reason of maintaining law and order thereby locking out our members from performing their statutory.
“While the councils of both NLC and TUC acknowledge the statutory responsibility of the Nigeria Police in maintaining Law and Orders, it is also important for such functions to be exercised in a manner that workers in this instance are not deprived access to their duty post.
“In view of tho actions of the Nigerian policemen, the quantum of man-hour loss since the occupation of the security agencies across the Twenty-Three Local
Government Councils is irrecoverable and the attendant consequences of putting people off their job with no alternative means of engagement in the society are far too weighty to contend with in instant case.
“The Councils of both NLC and TUC
Considers the action of the Governor as timely and appropriate to abhor vacuum in the administrative structure of the third tier of Government for the overall benefit of Rivers People”.
The Council’s however said they unanimously uphold the ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for the
Nigeria police to vacate and allow unfettered access of Local Government Workers to access their Offices without further delay.
The Unions further condemned the purported call by some people to declare Rivers a State of emergency.
“Councils-in-session unanimously condemn in strong terms the purported call for a State of Emergency in
Rivers State by some supposed political leaders of the State which in all ramifications do not wish Rivers State
People well, while we appreciate people’s rights to self- opinion it is also important not to allow self-centeredness to override our sense of reasoning”.
They urged the entire workers of Rivers State to be on red alert of possible actions to protect and defend the interests of Rivers State workers.
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