NIC will guarantee industrial harmony in Bayelsa, says Dickson

BAYELSA State Governor, Seriake Dickson has said‎ that the establishment of the Yenagoa division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) would guarantee industrial harmony and contribute to the development of the state.

He made this known on Thursday while commissioning NICN in Yenagoa. He said the court was crucial to facilitating the resolution of labour and industrial related conflicts in the state.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), Governor Dickson pointed out that the government is the biggest employer of labour for now in the state, noting that, deliberate efforts have been made to preserve the independence of the Judiciary to ensure access to justice for the people in line with the vision of the government to put in place a virile and effective justice administrative system in place.  

He stated that with the industrial court in place, litigants who, hitherto travel long distances to States like Cross River and Ondo to prosecute cases, would now heave a sigh of relief.

His words: “As a government, we are aware that our people and indeed lawyers representing them have to travel long distances to Calabar, Cross River and Akure, Ondo States to prosecute and defend labour related matters. Being in tune with the yearnings of our people, we are aware that, there are those who could not even take their labour cases to the national industrial court due to paucity of funds. 

“The implication is that, these grievances are left unventilated and the aggrieved party frustrated and bitter. The establishment of this division with the active support of the government will certainly address this challenge as justice has now been brought to the door step of our people.”

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo had said, the vision of the NICN is to bring justice delivery closer to the people at minimal cost, more convenient and quicker.