Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka
The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Anambra State has suspended the temporary shut down of all Local Government councils in the state, following recent attacks on Nnewi South and Aguata Local Government secretariats by gunmen.
State President, Mr Chikwelu Adigwe, disclosed this on Friday after a meeting with representatives of the state government in Awka.
Adigwe, had earlier in a statement, announced a temporary shut down of the 21 Local Government Councils in the state with effect from Friday till Wednesday April 13, 2022, citing gunmen attacks on workers and facilities in the Local Government offices as reason.
He added that an emergency State Executive Council meeting would be convened on Tuesday to decide whether the shut down would be indefinite.
“Pls ensure that all Local Governments were closed down henceforth till Wednesday when SEC decision will be communicated to the workers.
“Note that nothing has been done by the government to the family of our deceased staff at Nnewi-South,” the statement added.
But in another statement on Friday, Adigwe said: “We just finished a meeting with the newly confirmed Commissioner, Ministry of local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, and other government officials.
“They appealed that we should give them a chance towards arresting this menace of destroying local government properties.
“I presented a strong position for the security of lives and properties of our staff who have been the target of these attacks and they accepted to do everything towards arresting the ugly situation and to carry us along as a Union.
“They also promised to make a case for our deceased staff in Nnewi South as well.
“In view of this, I humbly appeal for your understanding and for the suspension of the earlier directive to shut down LG councils temporarily.
“I also appeal that we give peace and negotiation a chance, considering the fact that this is a new administration.”