The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning of a state-wide strike if the federal government proceeds with implementing a recent court judgment that halts the release of the state’s monthly federal allocation. The ruling, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmaliki, instructs the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold the state’s allocation, impacting Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
After an emergency meeting held Thursday with other labor leaders, Rivers NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwo, voiced strong opposition to the ruling. He stressed that the decision would severely impact state workers, as their salaries depend on these funds. “If the federal government implements this ruling, workers will face unpaid wages, forcing us to shut down,” Agwanwo stated.
The Rivers NLC has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to disregard the ruling, also urging the Court of Appeal to overturn it. The union argues that the judgment lacks consideration for the well-being of the citizens and workers in Rivers State, describing it as “lacking empathy and a human face.”
According to Agwanwo, halting a state’s allocation risks paralyzing governance. “Everyone understands that withholding funds from a state will lead to suffering and disrupt essential governance,” he said, noting that such actions would lead to a state-wide work stoppage to protest the lack of support for state employees and services.
As the situation unfolds, the NLC’s stance underscores the significance of federal allocations in maintaining not only salaries but also the functioning of essential services in Rivers State.
News Editor