The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced concerns over the persistent absence of governors from their states, claiming many now reside permanently in Abuja, leaving their people to grapple with economic hardship.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made this remark during what resembled a town hall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The NLC leadership visited Kogi to hand over and inaugurate 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, aimed at alleviating transportation difficulties for workers in the state.
The interactive session was organized to allow workers to express their grievances and demands, which the NLC leadership planned to present to the governor.
Ajaero, who noted that the leadership had toured five different regions, lamented that governors were mostly absent, as they had relocated to Abuja.
Emphasizing the rising cost of living and economic struggles workers are facing, he condemned any government proposal to raise telecom tariffs, arguing that such a move would further burden workers.
He stressed that only in one of the five zones visited was a governor present, adding that governance is suffering due to this trend.
“Governance is being affected because many governors have made Abuja their permanent base. We have visited five zones, including Kogi, but have only met a governor in one state. Whenever we arrive, they are in Abuja. This must change for democracy to be truly felt by the people.”
Ajaero also highlighted the strategic importance of Kogi State to the NLC, given that both the governor and deputy have backgrounds in unionism.
On the ban of labour unions in state-owned tertiary institutions by the previous administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, Ajaero expressed shock, stating that no state government has the authority to outlaw unions, as they fall under the Exclusive Legislative List in the Constitution.
“Union operations are under federal jurisdiction, and no governor has the power to ban them. Unions are registered nationally, and their presence in states is for administrative convenience. What exactly are you banning?”
Workers at the meeting outlined several long-standing issues, including:
Over a decade-long ban on unions in state universities, polytechnics, and colleges
Failure to implement annual salary increments
Lack of affordable housing for workers
Teacher shortages in primary and junior secondary schools
The NLC assured workers that their concerns would be presented to the state government, ensuring that their voices were heard.
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