By Adesanya Akanbi, Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA (Sundiata Post) – Ogun State public servants on Wednesday night suspended the indefinite strike embarked upon last Monday “for two weeks” in order to offer Governor Ibikunle Amosun ample opportunity to address their demands.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
It will be recalled that all cadres of workers in Ogun State Civil Service had on March 7, began an indefinite strike to press home their demand for the remittance of deductions from their salaries and payment of gratuities by the state government, which paralysed government activities, responsible for shutting down of ministries, agencies, offices, courts, schools, hospitals and parastatals of the State.
The state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Akeem Ambali, who spoke on behalf of other unions in a telephone conversation with some journalists on Wednesday in Abeokuta, confirmed the development, saying that all workers in the employ of the state government should resume at their duty posts on Thursday.
Ambali noted that the suspension of the industrial action became imperative following interventions from well-meaning personalities, including the State House of Assembly and some foremost traditional rulers in the state as well as the former Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin.
He said, “Yes, we have suspended the strike. But it is for two weeks to enable the state government look into our demands. It followed the intervention of well-meaning people in the state.
“The Speaker and honourable members of the House of Assembly met with us and they asked for two weeks to enable them iron out our issues with the governor. Also, the Awujale of Ijebuland and the Alake of Egbaland met with Labour and promised to intervene by meeting the governor. I think they have met the govenor.
“Also, Dr Ade Abolurin (former Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps) met with us and pleaded that we suspend the strike. Many people, including the Body of Former Permanent Secretaries also intervened. Therefore, as a mark of respect, we decided to agree with them.
“If they are saying two weeks, then let us wait and see what would happen. The governor will meet Labour personally in the next couple of hours.”