The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has called on the striking Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) andGovernor Nasir El’Rufai of Kaduna State to put their differences apart and return to dialogue table to ensure delivery the other going strike that has locked down the North West State
The PGF in a statement issued by its Chairman, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State expressed their concerns over the unfolding development between Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Kaduna State Government over the issue of rightsizing Local Government employees.
The statement noted the challenges facing all our states, especially given dwindling revenue, abd appeal to the NLC, to demonstrate more commitment toward engaging governments at all levels to address problems. This is not the time for muscle flexing.
PGF also admonished Governor El’Rufai to act fast to return to dialogue with organized labour, so as to save the citizens of Kaduna State from further suffering as a result of the strike which has almost paralysed the state .
“Nigerians are already overstretched with many challenges. At this critical point of our democratic journey, there cannot be limits to engagement between all governments and citizens. Every step must be therefore taken to resolve the current faceup between Kaduna State Government and NLC. We appeal to both the State Government and NLC to return to the negotiating table.
“In particular, we want to appeal to the NLC leadership to recognise that the burden of leadership at this point is more about responding to challenges based on the honest disposition of correcting past mistakes.
“As Progressive Governors, we share the vision of Kaduna State Government of reforming all our Local Governments to make them more efficient and consequently the pivot of critical development initiatives. At the same time, we want to appeal to Kaduna State Government under the leadership of our colleague, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to take all the necessary step to ensure the resolution all disagreements in the larger interest of citizens in Kaduna State.
“We are confident that both Kaduna State Government and NLC will resolve all outstanding issues and restore industrial harmony in Kaduna State, ” the statement noted
