Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has described as unfortunate the strike embarked upon by the state civil servants, insisting that the action was inimical to the development of the state.

The governor at an enlarged State Executive Council meeting in Minna on Tuesday said the new salary regime was not unilaterally arrived at but “was carefully reached after wide consultations with all stakeholders and in the interest of the state.”

He accused labour of being unnecessarily rigid, as government has shifted ground to 90 percent salary in July as against the 70 percent that was paid last month.

He also dispelled allegation that government action only singled out the civil servants to bear the effect of the on-going economic challenges in the state. The governor insisted that the 70/30 percent ration adopted by his administration was to ensure even spread of both the gains and risks of the present financial realities.

Gov. Sani Bello recalled he had a five-hour meeting with labour till the early hours of Monday morning in order to forestall the strike but lamented that labour refused to accept government gesture at the meeting.

He said he presented details of the incomes of the state and the on-going developmental projects at the meeting with labour. This, he said, was to enable the organised labour understand the efforts of the government but regretted that they still resorted to their action.

The Governor said: “I had a meeting with the labour and I gave details of our incomes, the on-going developmental projects and why we have to sacrifice today for the future of our children, who are leaders of tomorrow but from the action of the workers it is clear that they are only interested in their salary alone.

“They are not bothered about the state of our schools; all that labour wants is for us to use all we have for their salaries. I told them that we have to attend to the critical areas as highlighted in our cardinal priority programmes. That is why we are fixing our schools in Izom, Bida, at Maryam Babangida Girls, Bosso, Kutigi, Kontagora and Rijau. The work in these schools is there for all to see.

“I have made it categorically clear that the 70/30 percent ration is not a policy. It is a temporary arrangement. If tomorrow our federal allocation increases, workers’ take home will also increase.

“I have no intention to punish anybody. If I have a revenue of N5 billion, I will gladly pay the N2.4 billion wage bill and I still have what to work with. Of what gain is it to me to deny workers their pay?”

On funds looted by some former political office holders, Governor Bello said investigations are on-going and assured the entire populace that government would ensure recovery of the state's commonwealth.

The governor who said he was open to discussion on how to resolve the on-going impasse, called on well meaning people of Niger State to prevail on labour, stressing that government action was in the interest of all.

He acknowledged the statesmanship support and efforts of Engineer Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure, a former governor in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Mogaji and other stakeholders at ensuring peaceful resolution of the industrial action by labour.

The Governor assured the people that his administration will continue to be transparent and accountable adding that he was committed to restoring the glory of the state.

•Photo shows Governor Sani Bello.

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