From SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Borno State Council has passionately called in Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to extend his hand of fellowship also to the state civil servants on their long time outstanding backlog of leave, transport and promotion grants.
The labour Union also commended the governor for his magnanimity in paying 4862 retired civil servants, both dead and alive, their gratuities from 2013 to 2017, describing the action as reasonable and unforgettable gesture out of good leadership and governance.
Addressing journalists at the Labour House in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the the State Chairman, Comrade Bulama Abiso, said the payments will go a long way in putting a smile on the faces of many retirees and their families at this critical time of economic recession.
He further appreciated the stabilizing influence, wisdom, fortitude and unobtrusive leadership acumen as well as contribution and commitment towards building the state , enhancement of societal development and passion to contribute to the development of the devastated north east region as an inspiration to present and future generations.
The NLC Chairman assured the governor of continuous support and partnership in ameliorating the conditions of civil servants in the state while commending the past efforts of his administration in payment of pension arrears of over 400 retirees, addressing complications on the issues of biometric dara capturing of civil servants and verification of staff and teachers of LGCs with a view to implement N18,000 minimum wage at the LGCs level which could be effected due. to COVID-19 pandemic .
Abiso added that Zulum has influenced and effected the retirees immediate move unto pension whenever they are retired henceforth apart from impressing on the state government to assist the state housing corporation which could not pay its staff salary for almost 17 months as an autonomous state government parastatal due to low revenue generation.
While the delay in the implementation of the minimum wage for the LGC workers and Teachers was informed by also inability of some LGCs to even pay salaries of their workers monthly from the statutory allocations they receive monthly from the federal government leading to the state government augmenting the salaries o some LGCs with N100 million or N200 million”, he said.