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DELTA LABOUR WORKERS SHUT STATE SECRETARIAT AFTER DEPUTY DIRECTOR DIES
ASABA — Workers affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress have shut the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba following the death of a Deputy Director,...
By Patience
The workers locked the entrances to the government complex on Friday, stopping normal official activities as they called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
Adeda, a staff member of the Ministry of Secondary Education, reportedly died in hospital on Friday, one day after an alleged confrontation at the Prof Chike Odozien Secretariat in Asaba.
The circumstances surrounding the incident and the death remain under investigation.
WORKERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER SAFETY
The protest was connected to allegations that Adeda was assaulted during a confrontation involving the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu.
The allegation has not been independently established.
Sources familiar with the incident alleged that Ashibogwu asked Adeda during the encounter whether he knew him, to which the deputy director reportedly responded that he did not.
The workers said the incident had raised concerns about their safety while carrying out their duties in government offices.
Delta State NLC Chairman Goodluck Ofobruku said the union would engage the state government in an effort to resolve the matter.
NLC SETS CONDITION FOR WORKERS' RETURN
Ofobruku said workers could return to their duties on Monday if the government provided assurances that they would be safe in their places of work.
He said workers would otherwise remain at home if their concerns were not adequately addressed.
The NLC chairman also called for whoever was found responsible for the alleged assault to be held accountable.
The protest itself was conducted peacefully as the union pressed its demands.
CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL SEEKS CLARITY
The State Chairman of the Joint Civil Service Negotiating Council, Benson Efeotor, said the council was working to establish what happened.
Efeotor said he had visited the Ministry of Education and sought information concerning the deceased, whom he said worked at the Science Centre.
He appealed to the protesting workers to remain calm and avoid violence or destruction of government property while discussions with the state government continued.
GOVERNMENT SAYS FACTS MUST BE ESTABLISHED
The state government said it would not ignore the matter and that efforts would be made to determine exactly what happened.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, addressed the workers and union leaders during the protest.
Aniagwu said the immediate priority was to establish the facts surrounding Adeda's death and determine its cause.
He pointed to the need for an autopsy and medical examination to establish what happened and determine the cause of death.
The commissioner assured the workers that the circumstances would be investigated and that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings.
APPEAL FOR RESTRAINT
Aniagwu appealed to the workers to remain restrained and commended them and their union leaders for keeping the protest peaceful.
He also emphasised that every human life deserved protection, regardless of a person's position or relationship with others.
The government is expected to continue discussions with the labour unions as workers await further clarification about the circumstances surrounding Adeda's death.
The incident has left the Delta State Secretariat shut by protesting workers while the labour movement and government continue discussions and await findings that could clarify what led to the deputy director's death.