A joint decision by the workers’ union under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that the workers will embark on indefinite strike if the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu is not redeployed to another state in the next three weeks.
The duo gave a 21-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and the Police Service Commission during a press conference in Port Harcourt.
The briefing held in reaction to the dispersal of 13,000 teachers at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium and “the continued blockade of Obio/Akpor council secretariat” by the State Police Command.
The State NLC Chairman, Dr. Chris Oruge, said during the briefing that the organised labour in the state deserves as well as demands an unreserved apology from the IGP.
This is in addition to the call for the redeployment of Mbu.
“It will be recalled that Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu has continued to lock Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Secretariat despite a subsisting court order that the police should vacate the Obio/Akpor Local Government premises and allow the workers unrestricted access to their workplace.
“The organised labour views the action of the commissioner of police as a direct challenge to a competent order of the court and an invitation to organised labour anarchy in Rivers State.
“To this end, organised labour hereby gives 21 days ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission to address the issues raised above expeditiously” he warned.
On his part, the State TUC Chairman, Mr. Chika Onuegbu, pointed out that Obio/Akpor council workers had yet to receive the salaries for over four months since May 2013.
Onuegbu revealed the May, June, July and August salaries’ delay was due to “the continued closure of the secretariat by the police”.
Nevertheless, Oruge said any action contrary to the stated demands of the organized labour will spur them to embark on an indefinite strike action.
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