By Udo Akam-Alo, ABAKALIKI
The Ebonyi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has reacted to the strike embarked on by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JASUN) in the state, appealing to them to call off the strike.
According to a statement made available to Prompt News Correspondent in Abakaliki, he noted that it is not a favourable time to embark on strike, urging them to consider the dwindling economy of the state and the nation at large caused by the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
He went further to describe JUSUN’s decision as unfortunate, saying it is also ill-timed.
“Mine is appeal to the striking workers to suspend the action in the interest of the state. There are other ways to resolve the issue. They should consider their decision and understand what the implications can be.
“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.
“The industrial action embarked upon by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Ebonyi State Chapter is unfortunate and ill-timed, given that the state is at present battling with the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are in a situation where the economy of the state is dwindling. Our schools are closed, and whopping sums of money are being spent by the government to contain the spread of the menacing virus.
“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.
“The budget has been revised and reviewed downwards to reflect the realities on ground,” the Chairman reiterated.
Meanwhile, the Chairman said it is no crime making agitations, provided it works in line with the law and further commended Governor Umahi for his doggedness in curtailing the spread of the virus and his timely attention to workers’ salary payments.
He said, “there is nothing wrong with agitation if it is within the confines of the law, but reason demands that one should look at what is expedient at the very moment the agitation is being made.
“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.”
