Edo Govt to resolve JUSUN strike soon – AG

Benin city – The protracted industrial strike action embarked upon by the Edo State Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) will soon be a thing of the past as Government is making frantic effort to look into their demands with a view to resolving them.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Edo State, Hon. (Barr.) Herny Idahagbon who disclosed this to the NIGERIAN Observer yesterday expressed optimism that the JUSUN crisis will soon be resolved amicably.
He said, “we have started discussing with the members of the Union and we are preparing a meeting with the governor to see how we can resolve our differences, they have also made their demands known to us, this we shall present before the governor.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, JUSUN, Edo State Chapter, Comrade Uyi Ogieriakhi confirmed their meeting with the state Attorney – General of Justice, wherein the Union articulated their demands. For onward transmission to the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
According to Comorade Ogieriakhi, their demands from government include the total compliance with the judgment of court on January 13,2014 which relates to the direct release of funds to the third arms of government (fiscal autonomy) as it borders in section 121(3) of the federal constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended, with a circular released to that effect.
The Union also demanded the payment of July 2014 and January 2015 salary to the workers of the Judiciary, as well as no victimization of any staff for being part of the industrial action.
Comrade Ogieriakhi, who noted that the judiciary was the last hope of common man, stated that the strike action was to liberate the third arm of government from the financial shackles of the executive, pointing out that states like Delta, Lagos, Kogi, River amongst others have already complied with the court judgment.
He therefore enjoined litigants, inmates and ministers in the temple of justice to remain calm and patient, as the current struggle was for the benefit of the rule of law that enhances equality of human rights.
It would be recalled that JUSUN embarked on nationwide strike action on January 5,2015, apparently to drive home their demand of financial autonomy for the judiciary.