THE NATION

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has berated the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress for blaming banditry and insecurity on the state government.

Speaking at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, on workers’ day, Wike asked the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to engage his administration in constructive criticism.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, insisted that labour should adopt dialogue instead of blind criticism and protests.

Saying that the government was willing to look into their demands when properly channelled as was done in the recent Tripartite Committee meetings, the governor urged the workers to be part of the success stories of his government.

He said the technocrats in the civil service and other government functionaries were part of those, who implemented policies for the accomplishment of his administration’s giant strides.

He said that conscious efforts were being made by the government to curtail security breaches adding that security issues remained the exclusive function of the Federal Government.

He said: “Labour should constructively, at all times engage government and suggest the way forward and commend us when we are doing the right thing. It is about partnership to ensure that our state will enjoy progress. Labour needs to look at issues and react appropriately.

“When you blame issues of banditry and insecurity on Rivers State Government, I think that is misplacement of priority and purpose. On banditry and insecurity in Nigeria, you should know where to direct your criticism.

“The Federal Government controls the military, the police and all apparatus of security. You all know the efforts Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is making in terms of logistics and proactive actions to ensure we have peace and security. You have refused to blame the Federal Government to do what they should do.”

He urged union members of JUSUN to return to work like their counterparts in Lagos and some other states because Rivers State Government had already started the implementation of full financial autonomy for the judiciary.

In his remark, the Chairman, TUC, Jonah Austin commended the government for its effort to improve the security of the state, drastic infrastructural development and welfare of workers.

Also speaking, the Chairman of NLC, Beatrice Itubo-Igwe thanked the governor and urged him to tackle the issues of banditry and kidnapping.