By Tejiri Ebikeme
The factional Chairman of the Delta State Council of the Nigeria labour Congress NLC, Comrade Williams Akporeha has called on the Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to consider legal action for persons and group found to be responsible, involved and benefiting from illegal salaries in the state.
Comrade Akporeha stated this while reacting to Governor Okowa’s remarks on the challenge of high monthly wage bill facing the state.
Answering questions from newsmen immediately after the Christian inter denomination thanksgiving service held in Asaba to commemorate Nigeria’s 55thIndependence anniversary, Comrade Akporeha said that the Governor had just explained that a committee has already been set up to investigate why the state is presently challenged with a monthly wage bill for workers, much more higher than other states within the Niger Delta region that have more revenue resources and receiving higher Federal allocation.
According to Comrade Akporeha, “my take on that is to urge His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to let the committee make its findings public to expose the evil doers while the state government must ensure that it prosecute all those found to be part of the cartel promoting ghost workers’ syndrome in the state to serve as a deterrent”.
The NLC leader decried a situation where some individuals are receiving monthly salaries without working for it while others work in one place but receive salaries in two other places, describing it callous, wicked and inhuman.
Comrade Akporeha stated further that Congress is ready to support government in this fight and the time to act is now. “Labour cannot continue to fold its hands while funds that were supposed to have been channelled by government to enhance workers welfare are being diverted by criminal elements within the system for their selfish purposes”.
He therefore assured government not to hesitate to seek partnership with Congress in its effort to purge the system and rescue the resources from ghost workers.
