BENIN CITY- National President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ibrahim Khalee has paid a courtesy visit on Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu to intimate him on moves made for a total reconciliation of the Edo State chapter of the union..
Rising from a three month dispute resolution/reconciliation process of aggrieved members of its Edo State chapter, Khalee stated that the group was at the government house to inform of progress made thus far concerning reconciling all parties involved in the 2019 dispute. He also informed that all parties involved in the dispute would shortly hear from the national office concerning the way forward.
He said, “There was need to bring them together as brothers and sisters. We already agreed to work together sheathing our swords. We at the national secretariat would come out with our position based on findings from all the parties involved. By the time we adopt them, the government would be fully informed.”
He noted that unions were groups set up with the mandate to fight for the rights of members. He stated that the crises in Edo State NULGE was over since all parties to the dispute had the opportunity to express their grievances.
Khalee affirmed that after full implementation of decisions concerning Edo State chapter, government would feel more at ease dealing with the union especially in the ‘area of service delivery and servicing our people’ which is the essence of government as far as security of lives of the people is concerned.
Edo State President, NULGE, Mr. Lazarus Adorolo, appreciated the national president for wading into the union’s state internal crises noting that despite disagreements on ground he, in his personal capacity, had made sure that other parties in the dispute were carried along.
He noted that the intervention of Governor Godwin Obaseki led to the payment of owed arrears at local governments. This he said, gave local governments their pride of place allowing for the growth of internal revenue generation (IGR) base of up to 50 million monthly and even more.
Taking revenue generation away from the hands of touts, he observed, has helped local government employees to be more responsible and responsive in the discharge of their duties.
Responding, on behalf of Edo State Government, Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), Office of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Ehigiamusor, appreciated the group for concluding on its Long line of the reconciliation process of the state chapter of the union, noting that misunderstandings must always happen but the ability to reconcile differences was key.
He said government made sure it performed it’s obligations to workers by paying salaries as and when due across board even to pensioners.
