The organised labour in Niger on Wednesday endorsed the second term bid of Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger at 2019 general elections.
The decision was conveyed to the governor in Minna by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Pension Union (NPC).
Abubakar Sani-Bello
A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Malam Jibrin Ndache, disclosed that the NLC state chairman, Mr Idris Ndako and his TUC counterpart, Mr Yunusa Tanimu commended Sani-Bello for the cordial relationship being entrenched by the administration.
Speaking on behalf of the labour, the NLC boss said the state has maintained the tradition of payment of workers salary promptly.
“It is on record that some states are indebted to their workers for several months, some are owning 7 months while some have yet to pay in the last 10 months, but we are not owed a day, while our salary is promptly paid as and when due.
“We are here today to thank you, Mr Governor for a job well done to our constituency. I mean to workers in the state. We want to appreciate the prompt payment of salary by the government and to affirm that the entire workforce are behind you in your bid for second term,” Ndako said.
The labour leaders also commended the governor for the recent approval of 25 per cent salary increase and the restoration of payment of leave grant to civil servants in the state.
In the same vain, Mr Labaran Garba, a veteran labour leader who was on the entourage of the leadership of the organised labour, said the state workforce was appreciative of the cordial relationship between government and labour.
“Your ability to sustain a cordial and harmonious relationship with the entire workforce in the state has rated you high and put your scorecard in good light. We commend you and we want to assure you of our continued support,” Garba said.
Responding, Sani-Bello assured the workforce in the state of his commitment to sustain the cordial industrial relationship.
He pledged to continue to ensure prompt and regular payment of workers’ salary, stressing that payment of salary would continue to be a front line charge payment.
“For me, I have resolved that payment of salary will continue to be on a front line charge. We have perfected our plan, even when we don’t get the monthly statutory allocation, workers’ salary will be paid as and when due,” he said.
Salaries/leave allowances: You’re selfish, ungrateful, Akeredolu tells civil servants
Sani-Bello said the declaration of support by the organised labour was an assurance that his administration was on course, adding that he is committed to taking the state to the next level, even in the face of scare resources. (NAN)