Salaries Crisis: Al-Makura Inaugurates Renegotiation Team with Labour

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Thursday inaugurated  members of the renegotiation technical committee to work with organised labour to resolve the controversial salaries crisis that has bedeviled the state for months.

Inaugurating the 19-member committee at the state presidential lodge, Lafia, Al-Makura said the development is at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity,  stressing that his action was purely motivated by the need to engender good governance and collective development in the state.

He added that given the current economic reality, the decision to review salaries was one taken in the best interest of the state but organized labour misinterpreted and kicked against it thereby causing an unnecessary rift between government and organized labour.

“I have sworn to do things without prejudice, ill will and that oath of office is what I still hold in my heart. Every of my actions is geared towards the benefit of all.

“If in the course of doing my duties, someone finds it distasteful, they should go and look at the motive that is behind such act. That is the only way we can move forward as a people,” he added.

He however described the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Labour as a positive one that will offer both parties another chance at reaching an acceptable compromise.

“I want us to see this as not two sides in a ring but we should see ourselves as making Nasarawa state stronger. We are taking decisions for the ordinary man. I believe we are working towards the same goal,” He added.

The governor then revealed that the committee would submit an initial report to the Federal Ministry of Labour on Tuesday while a final resolution that would be acceptable to both parties is expected to be reached in eight weeks.

In a vote of thanks, Hon. Silas Agara, Nasarawa state Deputy Governor and Chairman of the tripartite committee expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed on them to find a lasting solution to the lingering salary dispute in the state.

Agara then assured that with the caliber of members drawn from both sides, success would be achieved in no distant time.