Council workers protest in Edo over unpaid salaries

Edo State Local Council workers on Wednesday, took over major streets and barricaded roads in a bid to register their displeasure over the non-payment of their salary arrears by the state government.

Consequently, a middle-aged man, who was not identified as at press time was feared dead following the protest that paralyzed official and business activities in Benin city, state’s capital.

He was reported to have slumped and died, while in the convoy of his council members from Esan North East Local Council that had arrived the town in the early hours of the day to carry out the protest over the non-payment of their salary arrears by the state government.

However, the peaceful protest that commenced from across different strategic locations in the city was led by the national president of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, among other executive members.

Speaking at the event, Khaleel expressed disappointment at the way and manner the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had subjected the workers to untold hardship, describing the plight of the local government workers in the state over the years, as pitiable.

He noted that the union would not relent in the struggle for their salary arrears until they are all fully settled for their services.

In the same vein, Comrade Ilenikhena expressed disappointment with the Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for the non-payment of their salaries arrears, adding that as a former labour leader, he should not be associated with such.