The Abia State Government has expressed surprise over the protest staged today by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Abia State Branch, along Ikot-Ekpene Road, Umuahia.
Addressing newsmen in his office, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, criticized the protest, that the leadership of JUSUN leadership are politicizing the issue of the salary of Judiciary Workers
According to Prince Kanu, a meeting between the Government and JUSUN leadership took place on Tuesday, January 21, lasting late into the night. The meeting, which reportedly achieved reasonable progress, was adjourned to continue at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 22.
He hinted that with the information at his disposal, some reasonable level of progress have been made and expressed surprise that the Union opted to stage a protest even after making such progress with the Government at the meeting.
According to the Commissioner, “It does appear that there is a some level of insincerity, some politics that is not well headed in this matter.
“I say so because I’m aware that a meeting was held yesterday and that meeting lasted into the night between the government and judiciary workers. That meeting ended very late and they agreed to reconvene by 5pm (Wednesday 22nd).
“Fom the brief I got , some substantial progress were made as regards to those discussions to find a meeting ground between government and the judiciary workers.
“So, it comes as a surprise to me that it is not yet 5pm and these people have gone to congregate in prayer, protest or whatever and without waiting to attend to that meeting for 5 o’clock.
“It does appear that there is a disconnect between the leadership of Judiciary workers and their union. Their leaders wouldn’t have come to negotiate with the Government only last night and today there is a protest. There is a problem somewhere.
“In fact a lot of people at the side of government were surprised to hear that such a thing even happened because they were waiting to congregate again by 5.00pm today so that they can go forward with their discussions and apparently come to some agreements so that this whole issue will come to an end,” Prince Kanu stated.
Prince Kanu reiterated Governor Otti’s commitment to the welfare of Workers’ in the State, noting that the administration has consistently prioritized regular payment of salaries and subventions to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He advised JUSUN leadership to prioritize the genuine welfare of their members and refrain from politicizing the matter, urging them to return to the negotiation table with Government and work towards a resolution that would benefit both the Judiciary Workers and the State.
“JUSUN leadership have to come clean and think seriously about the welfare of their workers. Their fate is in their own hands.
“I believe, because of the compassionate disposition of the Governor, if this Committee that went to meet with the Government has had some agreements, just like the brief I got that they made substantial progress in their discussions. What that means is that there are some demands these people may have made that those in Government would convey to the Governor. They would have waited for that to happen.
“If the leadership of the Judiciary is playing politics, they should stop playing politics with the welfare of their Workers and sit down and discuss with Government officials and come to some agreements and end these whole saga“, Prince Kanu advised.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu was present at the interview.
