Rivers State local government workers have suspended a planned strike after meeting Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The resolution followed a dispute in Emohua LGA over staff verification and salary payments.
Local Government workers in Rivers State have called off their planned strike after a closed-door meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The industrial action, which was scheduled to begin at midnight on Tuesday, stemmed from a dispute in Emohua Local Government Area.
The crisis reportedly began when Emohua LGA Chairman, Chidi Lloyd, declined to pay certain staff, alleging they had not gone through the proper verification process. The disagreement triggered protests along the Emohua axis of the East–West Road.
The meeting, which brought together officials of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), members of the Local Government Service Commission, and Chidi Lloyd, ended with an understanding that led to the suspension of the strike.
Speaking after the discussions, Rivers State NULGE President, Clifford Paul, confirmed that the union had agreed to halt the industrial action. “We have reached an understanding. The Governor has assured us that this matter will be handled fairly. On behalf of NULGE, I am directing all branch leaders and members to suspend the strike,” he said.
Israel Amadi, Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, described the meeting as constructive and expressed confidence that the Governor’s directives would be implemented.
Chidi Lloyd also commended Governor Fubara’s intervention, saying his administration only sought transparency in the employment process. “This issue is not personal. It’s about ensuring accountability, and the Governor has made that position clear,” he added.
