…..As NULGE Sets For War Over Salaries, Issues Okowa 21 Day Ultimatum
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Governor of Delta state, Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa will on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 kick start his second term campaign with a town hall meeting at Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North local government area of the state.
The town hall campaigns will afford the state governor the opportunity to go round the 25 local government areas of the state where he is expected to brief the people the score card of his government in the last two years.
It would be recalled that Okowa had told a gathering last month at the country home of the former governor of Delta state, Mr. Emmanuel Uduaghan Warri, while addressing party faithful at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta South Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting hosted by Uduaghan that such town hall meetings were important to enable government hear directly from the people.
“We shall soon embark on town hall meetings which will commence from May 9, starting with the two Isoko Local Government Areas. This tour is very important to us because it will enable us appraise ourselves and talk to the people directly and also hear from them on the policies and programmes of government.” Okowa said.
HardReporters gathered that preparations are in top gear at Ozoro ahead of Governor Okowa’s town hall campaign to the local government slated for Tuesday and Wednesday May 9th and 10th, 2017.
In a statement by the Chairman of the local government council and Coordinator of the visit, Mr. Emmanuel Egbabor and obtained by our correspondent said, Governor Okowa is scheduled to commission the completed reconstruction of the 8.87km Old Ozoro/Oleh Road and also inspect some ongoing projects in the local government on Tuesday May 9th at 9.00am.
“Thereafter His Excellency and his entourage will pay a courtesy visit on the Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom, HRM Barr. Anthony Uvietoborie Ogbogbo, Ibuka I, at 11.00am.
On Wednesday 10th May, the Governor will preside over a Townhall meeting at Opute Hall, Ozoro at 8.00am.”
According to the statement, community leaders, Labour unions, party faithful, community women leaders, market women, registered artisans, students, clergy, Okada riders, professionals, non indigenes, traditional rulers and the physically challenged have been duly invited for the town hall campaign meeting.
Governor Okowa, is also expected to flag-off the Second Phase of the Isoko North Local Government Council Free Eye Test/Eye Glasses and Surgical Operation Exercise.
Meanwhile the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Delta State Chapter is set for war with governor Ifeanyi Okowa over non payment of 8-13 months salaries of local government workers across the state.
The Union while decrying what it called the excruciating and suffocating pains and agonies being experienced by its members which have caused them untimely death due to hunger, frustration and inability to pay medical bills, rejected vehemently the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries at the expense of the local government workers.
In a statement released and signed by Comrade Peter Ene, NULGE, State Secretary and obtained by HardReporters warned governor Okowa to as a matter urgency and importance revert to the old order of uniform payment of both local government employees and primary schools teachers with the resources available.
According to the statement, “The State Government should reinstate augmentation for payment of primary school teachers’ salaries as local government council can no longer alone bear the burden. The Union will be left with no other option than to invoke the instrument of industrial action.”
The union, therefore issued a 21-day ultimatum to Governor Okowa commencing from Friday 5th May, 2017 within which all arrears of salaries ranging from 8-13 months must be paid or be ready to face industrial action.
The state executive council of NULGE, further resolved to organize mass protests rally in the three senatorial districts within the 21-day ultimatum; while the mother of all rally shall hold in Asaba and will have in attendance the National President, civil society groups and Human Right activists.
