The appointment of the former state Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Mike Okeme, as Special Adviser on Labour and Industrial Related Matters has pitched him against the union.
The union on Thursday urged the governor to immediately review Okeme’s appointment or risk industrial disharmony, after a vote of no confidence was passed on him.
The congress declared Okeme a persona non grata to the state wing and warned Uduaghan that it shall not give further notice of action to him if it fails to revisit the appointment.
Okeme was accused of confiscating the 10 Hiace buses meant for the union’s Mass Transit after hijacking and misappropriating the proceeds.
He was also said to have usurped the powers of SAC members, deliberately destabilizing the activities of labour in the state and trying to cause serious and harmful, but avoidable acrimony between labour and government.
At an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council in Asaba on Thursday, the state Chairman of the congress, Comrades Williams Akporeha; Secretary, Ejiro Egbedi; and Treasurer, Goodluck Ofobruku, warned all ministries, departments and agencies to be aware of its position as it said congress shall no longer honour, acknowledge or be involved in meetings, correspondences and engagements with Okeme as the governor’s aide.
It warned that apart from the mandatory monthly check up dues, the congress has directed all industrial unions in the state to desist from imposing levies and collection of other monthly deductions from salaries of workers, especially where there is disagreement among the members in order for their take home pay to take them home.
The resolution resolved to continue to support the exemplary leadership of Governor Uduaghan in the march towards the provision of good governance and enhancement of workers’ welfare in the state.