By Shadrach Okon
Governor Umo Eno has warned Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Akwa Ibom State Chapter to stop threateniing him with strike again in a bid to drive home their demands in the State.
Pastor Eno who spoke during the NUJ thankssigiving service in Akwa Ibom State, yesterday said any time such confrontation comes from NLC in the State again to him, such action will be reciprocated with a rebuff from him.
The governor was reacting to the recent threat by NLC in Akwa Ibom State who in their ultimatum issued to the State Goverment last week threatened to go on strike if the New Minimum Wage as agreed between Organized Labour and the State Government is not reflected in workers’ January pay-roll.
The leadership of the Organized Labour had stated in their letter to the State Government, “…unless sincere action is taken to initiate this payment of the New Minimum Wage as agreed for January 2025 Pay-roll, the Organized Labour will be left with no option than to take decisive measures that may lead to a complete shut down of the entire State workforce. ”
Governor Umo Eno while speaking in his home town at Apostolic Church Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium said he had agreed with Organized Labour that payment for the new minimum wage would commence once the report of the ongoing verification of civil servants within the employ of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service is completed.
The governor berated labour for sending their letter to the press while he was yet to receive such letter on the position of labour on the New Minimum Wage.
According to him, “If you threaten me with strike again, I will allow you to go ahead with the strike. I hope you know that the permanent secretaries will not join the strike. I can still work with them as they can operate from home with their laptops. What happened during Covid-19? The State was still running while everyone including civil servants were at home. ”
Pastor Umo Eno questioned Akwa Ibom NLC on why they never embarked on strike over N35, billon backlog of gratuity and other entitlements of Civil Servants owed before before his intervention.
