Delta State Government has reassured the work force that it would continue to be fair, just and compassionate towards members of the organised labour and affiliates in the state.
Chief of Staff, Government House, Olorogun David Edevbie stated this on Monday in Asaba when members of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Delta State Council, staged a peaceful protest to Government House over some federal government educational policies.
Olorogun Edevbie, who received the protesters on behalf of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, thanked them for their peaceful conduct and assured them that their demands would be taken to the appropriate quarters for prompt action.
He harped on the need for labour leaders to always see dialogue as a veritable tool to address every agitation, stressing that no meaningful development could be achieved in a chaotic environment.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Chris Akpede said that the protest was to draw the attention of government to the widely publicized far-reaching policy statement made by the federal government in favour of teachers in the country.
Comrade Akpede disclosed that the far-reaching policy statement of President Mohammadu Buhari during the 2020 World Teachers Day that harmonized retirement age for teachers in Nigeria including other packages in form of allowances was discriminatory in nature as members of NASU were not considered for such benefits.
According to him, the fundamental objective and directive principle of state policies of the federal republic of Nigeria (1999 constitution as amended), states among other educational objectives of Nigeria, that the government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate education opportunities at all levels.
“We believe that the president’s policy statement which was made in favour of teachers and the Federal Executive Council approval are genuine acts of an employer aimed at motivating employees towards increased productivity with a view to giving quality education to our children as envisaged in the constitution.
