NLC Not Fair To Us, Says Abia Govt

Abia State government has said the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was unfair to Governor Alex Otti in interpreting a directive it issued to the civil and public servants.

The commissioner for information and culture, Okey Kanu, made the assertion when he addressed the media on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting, which the governor, Alex Otti, chaired.

The government had directed civil and public servants in the ministries, departments, agencies, and 17 local government areas to upload their credentials online.

However, the NLC countered the order, saying it was another round of staff verification after the one the government conducted shortly after the assumption of office.

Kanu said the directive followed the government’s discovery that some personnel’s files did not have the requisite credentials when some appointments needed to be made.

“The governor asked that the workers’ files be looked through, and those who are qualified to take up those positions let their papers be brought forward,” he said.

While arguing that the directive was not aimed at a verification exercise, he added, “It was during that process that it was discovered that some of them didn’t have their credentials”.

He wondered why the chapter with unhindered access to the government could not get clarification from the government before countering the order and taking the matter to the media.

The aide, therefore, urged the chapter to retrace its steps as its action would not promote healthy relationship between the government and the state workforce.