Civil servants in Kogi State today suspended their five-week-old strike following the signing of an agreement with the state government.
At a meeting in Lokoja, the state government and the labour unions agreed to a seven-point deal.
On the government side were the Deputy governor, Simon Achuba, Secretary to the Government, Mrs Arike Ayoade, the acting Head of Service, Mrs H.O.K. Lawal and the Chief of Staff, Edwar Onoja..
On the side of the labour were the Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Oladipo Johnson, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Onuh Edoka and State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Ojo Ranti Mathew
Among the resolutions reached were that the state government should within seven days conclude payment of outstanding workers salaries and pensions.
Others were giving priority to government’s obligations to public servants, payment of Primary school teachers salaries as well as Leave Bonus of local government employees.
The others were making N20 million available monthly to gradually defray outstanding gratuities, and making monthly provision for capacity building of public servants.
Speaking on the development, the Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, expressed appreciation for the understanding shown by the labour leaders and the commitment of Governor Yahaya Bello to ensure industrial harmony in the state.
The NLC Chairman, said the suspension of the strike would allow for further consultations and expressed thanks to workers for their support during the strike.
Credit: Amuda Dan Sulaiman FAB
