The Nigeria Labours Congress (NLC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State of playing Father Christmas across the states, at the expense of workers, he is owing salaries and pensions.
Penpushing reports that investigation showed that, Wike, a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has donated at least N7.4 billion to seven states in the country since he became Governor in 2015.
The National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba in a letter written to Wike said the Father Christmas posture of the controversial Governor has caused workers in the state to move around in black mourning robes, while children of retirees protest naked in public.
“The gale of donations to different causes has not escaped the attention of hungry workers and pensioners in Rivers State who watch as their state adorns the robe of Father Christmas to other states while their salaries and pension are withheld’ Wabba stated
Penpushing further reports that, the congress equally accused the Governor of denying eligible civil servants promotion since 2012 and also refusing to implement annual salary increment and pension incremental rates in the state.
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the non-payment of pension arrears, gratuities and death benefits in Rivers State has exposed retirees to unimaginable pains and trauma.
Penpushing also reports that, Wabba pointed out that Wike’s administration has failed to act on the report of a tripartite committee set up to resolve the issues, stressing that the union expressed shock that the Governor has not paid the terminal benefits of retirees for the past seven years, despite Rivers State being one of the richest states in Nigeria.
The Leader of the labour union expressed disappointment on why Wike would donate money to other states in the country when workers in his state were not paid, reminding him that charity begins at home
Penpushing reports that, as at the time of filing this report, the state government was yet to respond to the position of the labour union, while it is on record that Wike in January 2021 donated N500million to support the rebuilding of Sokoto Central Market destroyed by fire.
The Governor in similar vein, in February 2018 donated N200million to the Benue State Government for relief materials and medicine for persons displaced after herdsmen attack, and also donated N400 million to victims of fire disasters at the Katsina Ala and High level main market.
Penpushing further reports that, Wike in April 2022 donated N200 million to victims of violence attack in Kaduna State, and also committed N5 billion for infrastructure upgrade at the Yenagoa campus of the Nigeria Law School.
The Governor, sometime in 2021 pledged N600million to support the building of a teaching hospital in Akwa Ibom State, and again in February 2022 donated N500 million to the Bayelsa State Medical Science University in Yenagoa.
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