Ondo workers to begin strike tomorrow

Despite pleas from the Ondo State government to its public servants not to go on strike over the N18,000 minimum wage, the leadership of the workers has directed its members to stay off duty as from tomorrow.

The directive was sequel to expiration of the seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by the workers to the state government to implement the new package.

The public servants under the auspices of the Public Service Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) at a meeting held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure yesterday said the strike action was irreversible.

The workers who offered prayers at the meeting mandated the leadership to declare strike with effect from Thursday, June 23, 2011 if the government fails to heed to their demands.

They expressed annoyance over what was described as the government's uncaring stance over the matter describing it as time-buying attitude.

"If the state government declines to consider and approve the salary table agreed upon by workers and consequently issue an enabling circular to back up its immediate implementation between now and mid-night of Wednesday 22nd June, 2011 all workers in the public service of Ondo State shall proceed on an indefinite strike action with effect from Thursday, 23rd June, 2011," the JNC said.

But the state head of service, Ajose Kudehinbu said that the government was not preparing for workers' strike over the issue.

Facing the issue

Mrs Kudehinbu, who spoke to journalists at the meeting with the labour leaders said government had nothing to hide on the issue, declaring that the minimum wage matter between labour and the state government would soon be resolved.

"We are not preparing for a strike, we are preparing for a resolution of the crisis. The deputy governor led the government side and other top functionaries were at the meeting. What they said when they were asked to back down on the deadline they gave to the government was that they were going to consult with their members.

"We have not heard anything to the contrary; we expect them to tell their members that a Joint Technical Committee has been set up and we shall meet at 12noon today to resolve the matter. That does not amount to an ultimatum or a unilateral action on the part of government," she said.

The head of service added: "The essence of negotiation is for us to reach a consensus; government is not going to hide anything from workers. As a matter of fact, we also expect that the workers will bring to the table all the facts, all the data they have.

"If at the end of the day, it is clear to everybody that government can pay N18,000, why not? If on the other hand, it is clear that government cannot pay, again that is not a decision one side will take, government will not take that decision alone."

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Panic in Kaduna over Boko Haram's bomb threat

There was tension in Kaduna State following a threat by suspected Islamic sect, Boko Haram members to bomb Kaduna in the coming days.

But the police public relations officer, Kaduna command, Aminu Lawan, said the command is on top of the situation and would do everything possible to prevent any bomb attack in the state.

"We are collaborating with other stakeholders, because this kind of issue is not going to be a one-man affair or a one business. It's going to be a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. We have community and religious leaders and we have different organisations.

"These organisations have roles to play in nipping this type of incidence in the bud. Everybody has a specific role to play so that we can be able to handle the situation that we are in," he explained.

Mr Aminu who explained that apart from the normal routine patrol and surveillance by security agencies, people should also be vigilant and have the level of alertness to report any suspicious object or movement to the police.

According to him, the anti-bomb special squad of the Nigeria Police is very much at alert to respond to any emergency situation.

The sect declared: "We are ready for the Nigerian state, after the training of our commandos in Somalia, northern states such as Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba, Benue, should watch out for us especially in Kaduna." The sect in an online statement, however warned all civilians to avoid military formations especially the police, stating that "we are stepping up our attacks in the coming weeks in all northern states. The failed assassination attempt on the Inspector General of Police will not deter us as we are going to attack the entire northern parts of the country including Abuja. People should, therefore, avoid crowded places and gatherings," the statement warned.

Security alert

The group claimed that its mission is to make the country ungovernable until all their members detained illegally by the police are released. They said they would revenge the unjust killing of their leaders and members by security agents.

Meanwhile, security was tight at the headquarters of the Kaduna police command yesterday as all the vehicles going into the premises were screened by anti-bomb police men as part of security measures to avert any breach of the peace.

The same was seen at the headquarters of the Nigerian Prisons located along Independence Way where members of the Operation Yaki security outfit positioned about six vehicles around the prison.

The tight security came on the heels of information of an impending jail break by the sect whose members are currently detained at the prison.

Also, security has been beefed up at the Sir Kasim Ibrahim House, the official residence of the state governor, Patrick Yakowa. A combined team of Mobile Police and soldiers are now guarding the main entrance to the Government House including all the major roads leading to the state's seat of power.

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