The Niger state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has slammed Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello’s administration for the continued loss of lives and property to Boko-Haram, insisting that no excuse is acceptable for his failure to provide good leadership.
Among other things, the workers want the Ministry of Local Government to stop all financial transactions with the joint local government funds that are not backed by the Niger State House of Assembly’s instrument of legislation; Section 3 of the Principal Law as Amended 2001.
Labour unions deliberated on key issues affecting the state at an expanded State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at Labour House, IBB Road, Minna, and resolved that no excuse is tenable from a Governor who is thought to be well versed in the challenges facing the state before contesting election and then begins to make excuses after winning election.
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The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba, signed a communiqué at the end of the enlarged SEC urging Governor Bello’s administration to focus more on security by stepping up action to end the siege by the four major terror groups hiding in the state.
“Despite the existence of seven well-grounded military formations across the three senatorial zones, namely: Army Barracks Bida (Zone A), Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Minna (Zone B), and the Nigeria Airforce Base Minna (Zone B), Minna Military Cantonment (Zone B), the NLC is very concerned that security of lives and properties appears to have overwhelmed the state security apparatus.”
“The 221 Battalion New Bussa (Zone C), Air Weapon Training School New Bussa (Zone C), Forte Nagwamatse Army Barracks in Kontagora (Zone C), in addition to the almost 100 percent LGA coverage by Police and NSCDC formations, a number of Mobile Police bases and non-conventional security formations like the local Vigilantes,” according to the communiqué.
Apart from the attacks that have left hundreds of people homeless, the session discussed other important issues affecting the state in general, such as the lingering welfare of workers, and implored the state government to step up to administrative responsibilities, according to the communiqué signed by state NLC Chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba.
The NLC sympathizes with the families of slain security personnel who died in the line of duty, as well as citizens who have suffered the same fate at the hands of deadly terror groups such as Ali Kawaje, Yello Jambros, Kachalla Halilu, and Bello Turji.
Labour leaders are also concerned about the resurgence of insecurity, which has resulted in the emergence of formal and informal refugee camps or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in many of the state’s Local Government Areas.
Nonetheless, the labor leaders urged civil servants and Nigerlites in general to remain vigilant at all times and to cooperate with security agencies, particularly when it comes to providing local intelligence on how to end the terror groups’ reign of terror in the state.
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While attributing the failures to a lack of real-time inter-agency collaborations, synergy, coordination, and intelligence gathering and sharing mechanisms, the state will continue to be mired in insecurity as terror groups boldly move around.
It is critical that the state government act quickly. “Why are armed bandits, Boko-Haram, and ISWAP killings continuing unabated?” Why are existing security formations in the three senatorial zones waiting to respond until settlements and communities are attacked?
“In Niger state, armed banditry and terrorism have taken on a dangerous dimension. Rural areas that previously provided support to cities through agricultural ingenuity have now become deserted. Terrorism has taken lives and livelihoods that cannot be measured.”
“For emphasis, we are aware that terrorist attacks have left Munya, Shiroro, Rafi, Paikoro and Wushishi, Rijau, Mashegu, Magama, Mariga, and most recently, Lavun desolate,” the communiqué continued. Many farmers have been killed, while others have fled their farms in search of safety.”
Workers have not received the attention they deserve, so it has been decided that “all affiliate unions of the NLC and TUC in Niger state are directed to proceed on a seven-day warning strike beginning at 12 midnight on Sunday, March 6, 2022.”
Aside from paying more attention to workers’ welfare, the communiqué suggests that Governor Bello’s administration restructure the entire security architecture to ensure that communities are secure enough for citizens to return to their ancestral homes, farmlands, and businesses immediately.
“The Ministry for Local Government and the Joint Account Committee’s position in administering the content of FAAC redistribution, which resulted in the unfortunate payment of salaries on a percentage basis to staff of some LGAs was misleading and illegal,” according to the NLC. This, according to the NLC, contradicts the existing legislation of the State House of Assembly Joint Account Laws; Principal Law Section 3 as Amended 2001 and must be stopped immediately.
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The communiqué also expressed surprise at the Governor’s lack of concern for the plight of primary school students and teachers who have been at home for the past eight weeks in protest of the illegal payment of salaries on a percentage basis, despite several requests for him to intervene to stop the trend.
