Ebonyi PDP Chair asks Judicial Workers to suspend strike

Ebonyi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi on Sunday appealed to the striking State Chapter of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), to suspend the action in the interest of the state.

He said rather than continue with the industrial action, the workers should explore other ways of resolving the issue.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the PDP Chairman described the industrial action as unfortunate and ill-timed in view of the health challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that given that the State is still battling with the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, reason demands that one should look at what is expedient at the very moment the agitation is being made.

“We are in a situation where the economy of the state is dwindling. Our schools are closed, and whooping sums of money are being spent by the government to contain the spread of the menacing virus”.

“The budget has been revised and reviewed downwards to reflect the realities on ground. Isolation and quarantine centres were established by the state government, and various forms of palliatives and welfare packages were made available to the public to cushion the effects of  the global scourge”.

“Yet, the state governor kept faith and made sure, in spite of all odds, that every worker is paid as at when due. That is commendable. I make bold to state that in the area of workers’ welfare and prompt payment of salaries, no one does it better than Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi”.

“One thing is clear, if the strike is allowed to subsist and the government stays aloof, it is obvious that the striking workers will bear the greater brunt of it. It is the height of insensitivity for the leadership of the association to undertake such approach at this material point in time”.