Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has approved the allocation of land for the construction of a permanent secretariat for the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, while directing an immediate investigation into allegations that the statutory 10% check-off dues deducted from civil servants' salaries are not reaching the NLC national body.
The governor made these announcements on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the NLC national leadership, headed by its President, Joe Ajaero, at his office in Umuahia.
Emphasizing his administration's pro-worker stance, Otti highlighted recent initiatives, including the employment of 5,394 teachers and the ongoing recruitment of 771 health workers. He also revealed that his government has approved the payment of financial benefits to the next-of-kin of deceased Abia civil servants, covering arrears spanning the past 16 years.
In response to concerns raised by the NLC, Otti assured the union of his commitment to resolving the dues remittance issues, pledging a thorough probe to ensure transparency and accountability.
Earlier, Ajaero had appealed to the governor for the donation of land to build a befitting secretariat for the Abia State branch of the NLC, as well as the provision of an operational vehicle to support the union's activities in the state.
The NLC President commended Otti for his strides in infrastructural development and maintaining cordial relations with labor, urging the Abia State NLC branch to directly remit the statutory 10% monthly check-off dues to the national headquarters to avoid discrepancies.
The meeting underscores the Otti administration's efforts to strengthen ties with organized labor, amid ongoing reforms in the state's public service sector. Further details on the land allocation and investigation outcomes are expected in the coming weeks.
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