11th May, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Asaba
The indefinite strike action embarked upon by workers of the 25 local government councils of Delta State on Monday paralysed all forms of activities at the secretariats across the state.
The workers under the aegis of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), who were protesting the non-payment of their salaries in the past four months, had last week issued warning that unless the backlog of salaries were paid before May 11, 2015, they would embark on strike.
The council secretariat for Oshimili South in Asaba and that of Aniocha North at Iselle-Uku were under lock and key when our correspondent visited to monitor staff compliance to the strike directive.
President of NULGE, Comrade David Ofoeyeno, told journalists that 21 out of the 25 councils in the state were owing salaries to workers for over four months.
According to the NULGE president, the defaulting councils include Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Patani, Isoko South, Isoko North, Udu, Ika South, Ika North-East, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Ukwuani, Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Okpe, Sapele, Ethiope West, Ethiope East, Uvwie and Warri South.
He disclosed that the non-payment of salaries has brought untold hardship to council employees, just as he insisted that if the the backlog of salaries were not paid, the councils would remain shut.
“The SEC of NULGE met and decided to call for an indefinite strike, and the strike will not be called-off until the salaries are paid. The councils shall be under lock and keys.
“Our people are being owed over four months salaries in some councils and this has brought untold hardship to our members,” he said.