By Joy Odor
Nasarawa State government, said that, in view of its negative impact on the economy of the state, it will not borrow funds, only to pay salaries of workers.
This was part of the resolutions arrived during an emergency, expanded executive council meeting, to review the ongoing strike action by the organized labour, which held at the Government House, on Friday.
The state government also said that, it will not be distracted from its commitment to embark on meaningful projectsdis.
In a statement issued to the media, by Alhaji Musa Dangana, Chairman, Nasarawa State Civil Service Commission, the council maintained the earlier position of the government, to invoke the No-work-no-pay rule, stressing that, salaries for the month of June, 2021, is to be paid based on the attendance registers placed at various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The government expressed concern on misleading information, as contained in its press releases, with intent to cause disaffection between government and law abiding workers in the state.
The council therefore, described as false, claims that the state government receives N4.5bn monthly from the federation account.
It noted with dismay, the position of the labour unions, that government use available resources, to implement promotions and pay salaries only, rather than executing viable projects that have bearing on the lives of the citizens.
The statement equally decried the continuous picketing of offices and harassment of workers from gaining access to their offices by the officials of labour unions, illegal removal of attendance registers in MDAs, as well as intimidations by union officials on members of NULGE, for failing to join the ill-concieved strike action.
While calling on MDAs to submit valid attendance registers for the month of June, 2021, to the office of the Head of Civil Service, through their permanent secretaries or chief executive officers, the statement enjoined willing workers to resume their duties.
The government added that essential services such as health and water supply, will be rendered to the public, warning that any form of interference will not be tolerated.
It enjoined security agencies to continue to protect and safeguard all government establishments.
According to the statement, government is opened to the removal of the clause in dispute, as contained in the agreement earlier presented, but that it will not hesitate to revert to the present salary template, on the event of “substantial shortfall” from the federation account allocation.
“As a demonstration of goodwill and quest for harmonious government-labour relations, for the benefit of our people, the administration’s door are open for continuous negotiations,” it added.
The statement said government regretted the hardship and inconveniences, caused to the people of the state, as a result of the strike action.