Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has announced a donation of N5 million to support the transportation needs of organised labour members attending the Labour Day celebration from the state’s 25 local government areas.
Additionally, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, contributed N2.5 million to the labour union to alleviate the impact of the ongoing fuel scarcity.
Representing the Governor at the event, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar, the Head of Service, conveyed the government’s plans to increase workers’ salaries and improve their general welfare.
He called for patience from the labour union as the government addresses the demands of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
In his goodwill message, Speaker Sarkindaji acknowledged the nation’s current challenges and highlighted the importance of prioritising civil servants’ welfare.
He assured the labour unions that the government is committed to addressing their concerns.
Sarkindaji praised the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as key partners and expressed optimism that positive change is forthcoming.
Earlier, the NLC Chairman in Niger State, Comrade Idrees Abdulkarerm Lafene, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government to begin the refund of funds deducted from civil servants under the Contributory Health Care Scheme, which was introduced by the previous administration.
Despite six years of deductions, civil servants have yet to benefit from the scheme, as many have opted for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Comrade Lafene described the state healthcare scheme as a failure and demanded an immediate refund of all deducted funds.
He warned that if the government fails to comply, organised labour would shut down the state indefinitely.
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