The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has called on the judiciary to exercise caution in issuing rulings that could worsen hardship in the country.
His remarks followed the suspension of allocations to the Rivers State Government, as he unveiled 10 new CNG-powered buses at the NLC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Ajaero advised the judiciary against embarking on a “path of self-destruction,” voicing concerns that the decision could further strain the financial situation of thousands of workers in Rivers State.
He said that while the NLC is refraining from taking a strong stance as the cases are still in court, the Nigerian Bar Association, National Judicial Council, and other relevant bodies should examine the issue in light of existing precedents.
Ajaero also commended the recent approval of an ₦85,000 minimum wage for state workers.
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He, however, urged the state government to address unresolved matters, including unpaid hazard allowances for health workers since 2021 and a nine-year delay in payments for teachers in state demonstration schools.
On the topic of CNG-powered buses, Ajaero stressed the need to expand CNG infrastructure across the country to support the effective operation of these vehicles.
He also called for regulated CNG pricing to prevent inflation similar to that seen with petrol prices, noting that Nigeria has abundant gas reserves.
According to Ajaero, the NLC has acquired 60 CNG-powered buses and is allocating 10 to each geopolitical zone to assess their efficiency.
He noted that Rivers is the first state in the South-South to receive these buses, adding that the union plans to establish Rivers and Edo as hubs for CNG operations in the region, with Edo already hosting CNG stations.
The bus launch was attended by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo.
In his address, Danagogo urged the National Secretariat of the NLC, led by Ajaero, to continue constructively representing workers and the wider public.
He assured the NLC of the state government’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of Rivers’ workers and encouraged them to continue engaging constructively with the government.
“We appreciate your dedication to the Nigerian people as a whole. The challenges you face are for the benefit of the Nigerian masses. Be assured that the people and Government of Rivers State recognise your efforts and will continue to encourage you to engage meaningfully and constructively with all levels of government to foster a positive shift for the good of the people and the nation as a whole,” he said.
“As a government, we express our confidence in the State Chapter of the NLC, who have approached matters in a very civilised way,” the governor added.
Danagogo also thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the provision of CNG buses for workers.
He said, “Here in Rivers State, this administration has always recognised the importance of mobility for workers to fulfil their duties effectively. That’s why, from the outset, we have provided free buses for workers, which have been operational for over a year. Additionally, for senior civil servants, Permanent Secretaries are provided with official vehicles upon appointment, as the Governor understands the necessity of such tools for optimal performance.”
He expressed gratitude to the NLC for selecting Rivers State as the starting point for the zonal distribution of vehicles and for engaging President Tinubu in securing their availability.
Responding to queries from the NLC, the Governor noted that while hazard allowances are being paid to health workers, he advised the Rivers NLC chapter to highlight unresolved concerns, particularly regarding the teachers in demonstration schools.
