The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized state governors for neglecting their responsibilities by residing predominantly in Abuja. This neglect, the NLC says, exacerbates the hardships faced by Nigerians already battling rising living costs.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed frustration at governors’ inaccessibility. “Out of five zones we’ve visited, only one governor was present,” Ajaero revealed, emphasizing how this absence undermines governance and workers’ ability to address pressing issues.
The meeting, held at the NLC Secretariat, served as a platform for workers to share grievances ranging from a decade-long proscription of labor unions in state-owned institutions to the lack of housing and inadequate teacher supply.
Ajaero also condemned recent government plans to raise telecom tariffs, saying, “Pushing workers further in this harsh economic climate is unacceptable.” He pledged to escalate workers’ demands to Kogi’s governor, though he noted the challenges posed by governors’ frequent absence.
Kogi Workers Suffer Under Union Ban, Unmet Promises
In Kogi State, union leaders expressed dismay over the 10-year ban on labor unions in state-owned tertiary institutions. Institutions such as Kogi State Polytechnic and the State Colleges of Education have operated without union protections, despite constitutional guarantees.
“The right to unionize falls under the Exclusive Legislative List. No governor has the authority to ban unions,” Ajaero declared. He criticized the state government’s action, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to workers’ rights.
Workers also highlighted other pressing issues, including the non-implementation of annual salary increases and the severe teacher shortages in primary and junior secondary schools. Ajaero assured workers that the NLC would advocate for their demands.
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Despite the challenges, the NLC delivered some relief to workers in Kogi by commissioning 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. These buses aim to reduce transportation costs for workers struggling under high fuel prices.
However, Ajaero stressed that these efforts would mean little without effective governance. “Governors must bridge the gap between Abuja and their states to ensure citizens experience the dividends of democracy,” he said.
He also urged workers to hold leaders accountable, adding, “Kogi is strategic because its governor and deputy are union leaders. We expect them to set an example of effective leadership.”
