An impending strike season looms over Rivers State as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) have frowned upon the Emergency Rule imposed on Rivers State.
The bodies have issued a warning to the federal government to immediately reverse the state of emergency earlier declared in the state.
The joint unions released their cautionary message in a statement co-signed by Alex Agwanwor, the Rivers State Chairperson of the NLC; Ikechukwu Onyefuru, State Chairperson of the TUC; and Chuku Emecheta, Chairperson of the JNC.
In the statement, the union explicitly stated that the presidency’s failure to heed the reversal warning will spiral into a potential disruption of national economic affairs.
The unions vehemently condemned the federal government’s imposition of emergency rule. They labeled the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubura, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly as “unconstitutional and undemocratic.”
In their statement, they argued that the suspension was illegal, as the officials were constitutionally elected and could only be removed through legal and constitutional means.
The union also alerted the federal government that the emergency rule has brought unexpected economic hardship to the state, with local government workers yet to receive their salaries. This has compounded their woes amidst rising inflation and soaring living costs.
The joint labour emphasized the state’s potential as an economic hub within the Niger Delta region, warning that instability could cripple it for years.
They equally cautioned that the emergency rule’s ripple effects might be difficult to contain, as growing uncertainty and irrational fears among potential investors have led to a decline in business deals, affecting the state.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, the union stressed that this must be done within the confines of the nation’s constitution.
The union called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and demanded the immediate reversal of the emergency rule, warning that failure to do so could deteriorate the status quo.
Conclusively, the leaders of the joint labour force assured workers of their commitment to protecting their rights and privileges, vowing to take strategic actions if their demands were not met promptly.
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