Organised labour in Delta State has directed workers across the state to resume duties on Monday, September 28, following the intervention of the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

Delta State government had constituted an Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Adeda Ekwevugbe, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

The directive followed consultations between the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Governor Oborevwori over the development, which had generated tension among civil servants and disrupted activities at the state secretariat in Asaba.

The NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Willson Asekutu, in a joint directive, urged workers to return to their duty posts by 8:00 a.m. on Monday.

Ofobruku said the decision followed the labour leaders’ meeting with the governor and assurances that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death would be thoroughly investigated.

He disclosed that the criminal aspect of the matter was already being handled by the relevant security authorities, adding that arrests had been made in connection with the investigation.

According to him, any individual found culpable after due investigation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He therefore appealed to workers to remain calm, assuring them that organised labour would continue to monitor the investigation and work with the Administrative Panel of Inquiry to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the death were properly established.

Ofobruku said: “The criminal aspect is being investigated and arrests have been made. All parties found culpable shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

He assured workers that labour would not relent in its efforts to ensure that justice was served, stressing that the unions would ensure that “no stone is left unturned” in seeking answers to the circumstances surrounding the death of the deputy director.

The labour leader also commended workers across Delta State for their solidarity and peaceful response to the incident, particularly following the shutdown of activities at the state secretariat as workers demanded an investigation.

He assured the family of the deceased that organised labour would support them in every possible way during the period of investigation and mourning.

Ofobruku further appealed to workers to remain diligent and committed to their responsibilities, urging them to return to their offices and sustain effective service delivery across the state.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Oborevwori for what he described as his prompt intervention through the constitution of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry.

According to him, organised labour would collaborate with the panel and other relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation was conducted in a manner capable of establishing the facts surrounding the death.

However, the unions made it clear that the resumption of work would not mean an abandonment of their demand for justice.

Ofobruku maintained that labour would continue to engage with the panel and other relevant authorities until the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death were properly established and appropriate action taken against anyone found responsible.

He urged workers to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the investigation proceeds, stressing that the unions would continue to represent the interests of the workforce and support the deceased’s family.