Transition Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Council, Hon. Kelechi Ezechukwu Onyenze, has reacted to protest staged by workers in the local government over unpaid salaries, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV learnt that staff of the Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Monday, took to the streets to protest the non-payment of their salaries and leave allowances.
No fewer than 200 of the workers, were said to have barricaded the gate to the council headquarters, displaying placards, some of which read, ‘We have not received our leave allowances for 2014, 2018, 2019’, ‘NFIU should come and rescue us. Our salaries not being paid by Abia govt’.
Reacting in a statement made available to Igbere TV, the Council Boss said the government was determined to not only clear the arrears but also ensure they are paid as and when due.
He, therefore, appealed for patience, assuring that plans were already in place to ensure that the workers receive one month salary arrears this week, while working on paying the rest later.
“Our attention has been drawn to a protest staged by staff of Umuahia North Local Government earlier today, Monday 19, August 2019, over salary arrears of 3 months.
“We wish to express solidarity with the workers who clearly deserve their wages, having worked for it, and to assure them that we are determined to not only clear the arrears but also ensure they are paid as and when due.
“We however appeal for patience as we work towards clearing all outstanding salaries. Necessary processes have been concluded to ensure that the workers receive one month salary this week while we work out a sustainable means of paying the rest.
“We advise workers to remain law abiding as they go about their activities”, the statement read in part.
