22nd June, 2024
….Arrest political thugs, workers have rights to their place of work
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers have given police an ultimatum to vacate the premises of the 23 local government secretariats in the state.
They made the demand following at an emergency state administrative council meeting held at the NLC secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday.
The meeting addressed three key issues: the constitution and inauguration of caretaker committees in the 23 local government areas, the call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a state of emergency in the state, and the police takeover of council secretariats.
NLC Chairman in Rivers State Alex Agwanwor acknowledged the Police efforts to maintain peace but stated that denying workers access to their offices is a breach of their rights.
He urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to instruct the Rivers State Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu to grant workers access to their offices to carry out their legitimate duties.
The labour groups warned that if their appeal is ignored, they will mobilise their members to reclaim their offices.
They argued that it is breach of the rights of workers to be denied access to their places of work.
They advised the Police to fish out and arrest political thugs who invaded various Secretariats rather than totally deny legitimate local government workers rights to their offices.
Regarding the call by for a state of emergency, the NLC chief said such a demand is not in the best interest of the state.
The TUC Chairman Ikechukwu Onyefuru also provided insight on why it is illogical to call for a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Our Correspondent reports that clash between loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara not to allow local government Chairmen to extend their tenure of office beyond June 17, and suspected thugs who support the Chairmen at various local government Secretariats led to police take over of the facilities.
At Eberi-Omuma in Omuma local government area, a Police Inspector and a Vigilante personnel were killed.
Also, a former Student Union President of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, was shot in Ahoada East local government area by gunmen.