Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State

Richard Elesho

Nasarawa State Government has accused a section of labour leaders in the state of giving wrong information to workers with intention of bringing the government to disrepute and called on people to disregard them.

The government also disclosed that the 66 percent salary it paid its workers for September was a product of due consultations with labour and in tandem with the understanding of relevant stakeholders. This was contained in a Press Statement issued today in Lafia by the State’s Head of Service Mr. Joseph Anochom.

The government says September salaries were paid following a meeting of the Governor with State Labour Leaders on Wednesday 12th October, 2016 where details of FAAC accruals to the State were fully explained to them and amount available for salaries was fully discussed.

Anochom said although negotiations are still on-going with the State Labour Union, in keeping with its good faith approach, government reverted to the status-quo and paid salary arrears of May/June while taking steps on compassionate ground, to evaluate its position on the July/August salaries to workers who abstained from work during the period.

The Head of Service said Government is therefore shocked that in spite of its open door and transparent approaches, some Labour Leaders went behind the scene to misrepresent what transpired in the meeting.

“For the avoidance of doubt, both political appointees and all those in the employment of Nasarawa State Government within the Consolidated Salary Scale received 66% being the amount available after deduction of first line charges” the statement said..

The statement clarified that “banks made deductions from those they granted loans. This explains the low amount for such workers who received loans from the banks and cooperatives. Other workers who did not take such facilities or advances from banks and cooperatives received 66% salary as paid by Government; worthy of note, is that Government made it abundantly clear at the meeting with the Organized Labour that arrears of any monthly shortfall will be paid in due course.”