The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed concern over the growing trend of governors abandoning their states to live permanently in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. This lamentation was made by the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, during a town hall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Ajaero noted that the NLC leadership had visited five zones, but unfortunately, met with governors in only one state, as the others were in Abuja. He emphasized that this absence is affecting governance and depriving the people of the dividend of democracy ¹.
The NLC President also criticized the government's plan to increase telecom tariffs, stating that it would further exacerbate the hardship faced by workers. He assured the workers that the NLC leadership would convey their problems and demands to the governor.
In addition, Ajaero condemned the proscription of labour unions in state-owned tertiary institutions by the Kogi State government, arguing that the state government lacks the power to ban unions under the exclusive legislative list.
The workers presented several demands to the NLC leadership, including the implementation of annual salary increases, provision of housing for workers, and addressing the shortage of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools.