The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to withdraw its members from all duties if a recent Federal High Court ruling preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria from disbursing funds to Rivers State negatively impacts its members’ well-being. This position was established during an emergency meeting held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, which was attended by various labor leaders.
Alex Agwanwo, the Chairman of the NLC in Rivers State, expressed the council’s condemnation of the court’s decision, stating that the ruling overlooked the interests of the state’s populace and was detrimental to development. He criticized the judgment as lacking compassion and human consideration, emphasizing that it would significantly harm workers and citizens alike.
Agwanwo remarked, “The judgment lacks a human face. The judge did not take the citizens and workers of Rivers State into consideration before giving the judgment. Everybody knows what taking allocation away from a state will look like. It will put the state into suffering. It will disrupt governance in a state because governance will not take place without funds.”
He further stressed that the ruling would hinder governance and affect ongoing projects in the state, asserting that effective governance relies heavily on available allocations. The NLC is prepared to take action to protect its members and ensure their interests are prioritized amid the legal controversy.
