NLC Allays Fear over Planned Sack of Ogun Workers

The Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged civil servants in the state to disregard insinuations in some quarters that the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, plans to down size the workforce in the state if re-elected.

The NLC also confirmed the release of the sum of N1.5 billion by the state government to offset deductions from salary of state and local government workers.

The Chairman of the NLC in Ogun State, Akeem Ambali, while briefing journalists in Abeokuta after a meeting with representatives of state government in Abeokuta yesterday, charged civil servants to go about their duties without any fear of disengagement.

Noting that the Amosun administration has shown commitment to their welfare, he stated that “the purported plan to disengage labour leaders in the public service of Ogun State, including myself, and the purported plan to retrench 7,000 workers on the re-election of Senator Ibikunle Amosun has been dispelled.

“The state government has confirmed the rumour as baseless, unsubstantiated, wicked and political. We know that there are statutes of employment dictated by laws and norms and we believe that the state government, as a law abiding entity will not do the contrary.

“We are also of the opinion that workers should go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation or premature disengagement from service,” Ambali said.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who led the government team, reaffirmed that Amosun is committed to the welfare of civil servants and the overall well-being of the people, describing the sack rumour as reckless and spurious.

“This government has no plans, and I repeat, no plans to sack any worker. If there is plan at all, it is to see how many of our unemployed youths would be further engaged.

“Amosun that I know cannot hurt a fly. I can’t imagine an Amosun sacking 200 staff, not to talk of 7000. He does not have the heart to sack anybody,” Adeoluwa assured.

While thanking civil servants for their understanding, support and cooperation, which he noted had impacted to a very large extent on the government’s “rebuilding mission,” Adeoluwa expressed optimism that the coming years would be better for them.