Activities at the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Local Government Service Commission, State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) and Water Corporation within the Secretariat, Ibadan, were on Monday paralysed as workers of the Water Corporation who have embarked on an indefinite strike locked up the Water Building to press home their demands.
Workers of the corporation, under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), are embarking on the strike following the failure of government to pay the six months’ deductions owed them by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.
It will be recalled that the union had, on 20 January, given the government a 72- hour ultimatum to pay the outstanding deductions, address shortage of workers and other issues at the corporation.
Specifically, the union demanded prompt payment of outstanding deductions, ensuring safety of lives and property of the Water Corporation staff, increment in monthly subvention to the corporation, supply of chemicals to it, recruitment of more workers for it and appointment of a substantive general manager for the organ.
The 20 January letter presented to the government read in part: “…After series of meetings with the management of the Water Corporation and government representatives without finding lasting solution to our demands, the union is left with no other option than to issue this letter on the above subject matter.
“The union’s demands include: Payment of outstanding deductions, that is, cooperative deductions, check-up bonus, leave bonus, car loan deductions, housing loan deductions and so on.
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“Safety of lives and properties of Water Corporation; increment in monthly subvention; availability of chemicals so that potable water can be available to the good people of Oyo State and its environs; recruitment of more workers for the corporation and appointment of a substantive general manager.
“Consequently, with this situation in the corporation, the tension is building up among the workers which may affect the current smooth industrial relation in the corporation and in the state.
“Finally, the union is, by this letter, therefore, urging Your Excellency to intervene quickly to find lasting solution to our demands within 72 hours to avoid any negative occurrence in the union/ management relations.”
Following the expiration of the ultimatum, the union commenced the strike, locking up the Water Building which also houses the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, the Local Government Service Commission, OYSAA and the corporation itself.
Also, the feeder roads leading to the building were barricaded. Leading the protest, AUPCTRE Secretary, Ibrahim Mohamed, who doubles as the state’s Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretary, said the strike would be indefinite. Mohamed added that the union had exploited all options to resolve the matter, but all to no avail.
“It is an indefinite strike. We have exploited all available options, but the government is not coming forth. The government failed to respond to our calls. They owe us arrears up to seven months,” he said.
Speaking on why they locked up the building, which houses other government departments and agencies, Mohamed said: “It is Water Building. It belongs to us. The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Local Government Service Commission and OYSAA are all tenants.”
As of the time of filing this report, no government official has addressed the striking workers.
