Enugu
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Enugu state House of Assembly, Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, has called on labour leaders to always toe the path of dialogue to show their grievances rather than embark on confrontation with the government.
Nnajiofor, who made the call at a meeting with the retired staff of state-owned newspaper, Daily Star, yesterday, said a lot could be achieved when there is peace and harmony.
The lawmaker said he was aware that the retired staff have some issues with their pensions but counseled that they should embrace dialogue rather than embark on protests and confrontation.
“We are aware that the retirees of Daily Star are not comfortable with their remuneration. A lot could be achieved in the absence of crisis. If you must complain, let it be at the right channel,” he said.
Nnajiofor, who poured a lot of encomiums on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for prompt payment of workers’ salaries even paying workers 13th month, said government would never abandon the Daily Star pensioners.
Responding to the plea to embrace dialogue rather confrontation in pursing for their entitlements, the Chairman of the Daily Star Retirees, Mr. Uche Eneja, said they never at any time planned any protest or demonstration, but a solidarity rally because Governor Ugwuanyi had been doing very well.
He, however, said in the planned solidarity, they would use the opportunity to let the government know about their plights as pensioners with a view to meeting their demand.
“I don’t think that any right thinking man, having seen what Gov. Ugwuanyi is doing would go on protest. We would rather show support and solidarity and then chip in our grievances,” he said.
One of the retirees, Mr. Rufus Anyaegbudike, pleaded with the state government to integrate Daily Star workers into any of the ministries in the state ‘so that the staff would be well catered for.”
