The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Benue Government to pay the backlog of salaries owned workers in the state.
NLC Chairman in Benue, Mr Godwin Anya, made this call on Tuesday in Makurdi during the workers’ day celebration.
He said even though, they were in mourning, they will not abandon their struggle to promote the wellbeing of workers.
According to him, workers will not be cowed into forfeiting their Labour rights and in ensuring payment of salary arrears.
“Government should note that non-payment of salaries is another factor that can lead to avoidable deaths if not addressed as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Anya catalogued the demands of the workers to include compensation of N300 million to NUT for forcibly revocation of its land at Idye Village covering 1,453 hectares.
He called on the government to ensure the payment of all outstanding allowances owned workers and the implementation of 65 years retirement age for non academic staff of the state tertiary institutions.
Anya disclosed that the entire union was mourning and condemned the unprovoked and unwarranted attacks unleashed on Benue citizens.
He called on President Mahammadu Buhari to deal decisively with the issues of herdsmen and other insecurity challenges in the country.
In his remarks, Gov. Samuel Ortom said that his administration would evolve creative ways of resolving the salary challenges in the state.
He commended the civil society organisations in the state for spearheading the enactment of Anti Open Grazing law in the state.
Earlier, the Resident Pastor, NKST Church High level Makurdi, Fredrick Ikyaan, while delivering his sermon at the occasion, prayed to God to intervene for his people.
Reading from Exodus 1:6-21, Ikyaan said that the killings in the state were a clear indication that the invaders were not after the green vegetation but the soul of the state.
Civil society organisations in the state also joined the organised labour to mourn those killed in the state by herdsmen. (NAN)
