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Less than 24 hours into the ongoing strike action embarked upon by workers in some states over the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has threatened to replace any worker who fails to return to work.
On Sunday, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ebonyi State, Prof. Oguguo Egwu, expressed displeasure over the perceived lackadaisical attitude of the governor towards the plight of workers, describing the condition of civil servants in the state as worrisome.
Nwifuru, speaking during a live broadcast at his office in Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, on Monday, warned that salaries would be withheld, and striking workers would be replaced if they failed to report to work within the next 72 hours.
The visibly angry governor criticised the ongoing strike and the leadership of the NLC in the state, maintaining that he had fulfilled his obligations to the workers.
He said, “If you don’t go to work, not only that I will not pay you a salary, I will replace you within 72 hours in your office.
“If I don’t see you in your office. As far as I am not guilty. I am not owing you. I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. And according to the agreement and constitution, I am not owing you. If you don’t go to work within 72 hours I will replace you. I have called the chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
“I have directed all the commissioners to go to their offices. All the agencies and all the departments of government must be in their office and record the people that come to work.
“Those are the people I will pay through table payment by the number of days you attend to your duty in your office. If you don’t want to come to work. You will forget about state government.”
