The Adavi LG Administrator, Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami interfaced with the representative of unions, security agencies and some stakeholders in Adavi LG in a bid to address issues surrounding the masterminded protest purportedly carried out by some staffers in Adavi local government.
While addressing the ugly scenario, the Chairman of M&HWUN, Mr. Hassan Salami, in his speech, said the protest that took place yesterday was outside the knowledge of Adavi Chapter of Medical and health Workers Union Of Nigeria (M&HWUN)," added that they have always been employing dialogue in pressing their demands and not by violence. In complementing what the Chairman of M&HWUN ealier said, the Secretary to the MHWUN, *Comr. Dahiru Animoku reaffirmed that the purported protest was never planned by the Union executives, as he however pointed out that what happened yesterday was caused by bridge of effective communication between the staffers and the Union Members. He therefore solicited for the support of the management to take a proactive measure in addressing the lingering issue and pleaded to the management to ensure quick payment of December and January salaries.
Speaking also Comr Ozovehe,* the NUT Chairman, said the bone of contention was the issue of non payment of December and January salaries that led to purported protest. He further blamed the Treasurer of the LG, including the DLG for misinformation as regards to the delay in payment of December/January salaries and thereby sough for prompt payment of the salaries from the management
The Nulge Chairman, Comr. Isah Yakubu in his speech, said the ugly incidence that happened yesterday was nothing but a reflex action as the protest was hijacked by some people with vested political interest. Comr. Isah further said, they had already had a meeting with the Administrator and they were briefed on what led to the delay in payment of December and January salaries, which the Council Boss subsequently assured them that very soon, the workers would receive their salaries._
The legal Desk Officer, Mr Shaibu Onotu in his submissions intimated the audience that the ugly and pupported protest that happened yesterday was masterminded by the Treasurer, Hon. Segun Ariba who has political ambition, using all avenues to sabotage the efforts of the LG Administrator in ensuring prompt payment of workers salary. According to him, he said the same Segun Ariba connived with the LG Contractors to garnish the account of the LG without due process, showing some of the letters purportedly written with the letter headed paper of the LG by the Treasurer in respect of this illegal procedure of garnishing. In addition to his claim, he said *Hon. Segun* had at one time sought for his support in his chairmanship ambition which he declined. The Desk Officer equally unveiled how Treasurer got returns from the Contractor in this mischief. He finally urged the DPO as well as the Union Members to dwell into this issue and ascertain the truthfulness of it.
The DSO, Mr Adams, while addressing the house, said it was an unfortunate situation that happened yesterday which he hung on political interest and not issue of salaries as claimed in view of the clannish and varying sentimental songs they were chanting during the protest._ _Lastly, he commended the efforts of the security agents in arresting the ugly situation timely.
Responding, the Hon Administrator having appreciated all the unions, security agencies and stakeholders for honouring the invitation, said his administration has been maintaining cordial relationship with the unions and he could recalled that he had held several meetings with the Union members especially, the NUT chapter and pensioneers concerning the delay in payment. The Council Boss said he wasn't around when that protest came up, he immediately called on the DPO to stem the situation which he knew it wasn't perpetuated by the unions such as MHWUN, NUT, NULGE and others as rightly debunked by the Union members, but miscreants whose intent is far from demanding for salaries. The Honourable Administrator further highlighted several garnishing order raised by different Contractors, the former political office holders that connived with some management of the LG, especially in Accounting department to raise Garnishing order without his knowledge. Inorder to arrest this mischief emanated from the Contractors and the said management staff, the administrator according to him had requested for the service of a new lawyer to handle all the LG cases henceforth.
Further more, Adavi Council Boss further intimated the representative of Unions that he had put all the necessary machineries in place to resolve the salary issues.
Inaddition, the Council Boss explained to the Unions, Security operatives and stakeholders what causes the delay of december and January salaries, pledged to the unions that the appropriate quarter handling the salaries of the LG are working seriously on it and they should expect alert from now," he added.
Finally, the Administrator thanked all the Union members, the security agents and stakeholders for their support and understanding.
_Signed:_
_Yusuf O. Adams,_
_SA on Media & Publicity,_
_Adavi LG Administrator._