Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has said that payment of salaries is not an achievement.
He said this on Thursday while addressing members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), who were protesting unpaid salaries owed them by the previous administration.
According to the Governor, his convoy witnessed the protesting teachers and he decided to address the Union by reassuring them of his promise to the Plateau people.
“Today, my convoy encountered a rally by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) protesting unpaid salaries. I had to stop and speak with them. I heard their pleas and I want them to know that we are working tirelessly to address their concerns,” he said.
While pleading with them to exercise more patience, Mr Mutfwang assured them that his administration will not condone any form of “injustice.”
“For me, paying salaries is not an achievement, it is a duty. As such, I want to assure everyone that this situation will soon be a thing of the past. I am determined to make Plateau State a better place for all of us,” he added in his statement shared on Twitter.
In May, workers in the state went on an indefinite strike to press the immediate past government over the non-payment of salaries.
In a statement jointly signed by the leadership of the Plateau chapter of the Joint Negotiating Council, Titus Malau and Timothy Gopep, the Council alongside the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress blamed the state government for their lack of commitment, as per a report by PUNCH.
“It is evidently clear that the government has not shown enough commitment to address the issues as presented in our charter of demands before its tenure expires, as earlier promised.
“However, following a joint meeting between the JNC and Nigerian Labour Congress/Trade Union Congress leadership, it was resolved that an indefinite strike action be declared.”
Similarly, in April, some ad hoc staff of the Plateau State College of Health Technology in Pankshin also protested the non-payment of over 45 months of salaries among other concerns.
A report by Vanguard quoted the leader of the protesters, Mr Wambutda saying, “The reason for the protest is the non-confirmation/absorption, ongoing replacement of workers and the non-payment of our stipends of 45 months.”