Fix Onitsha-Enugu Expressway now, LG employees urge govs

THE Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) yesterday called on the five Southeast governors to jointly raise funds and rehabilitate the Onitsha-Enugu Express Road, which they described as ‘very deplorable.’

The local government workers representing Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states held a zonal meeting during which they deliberated on a range of issues affecting the zone and the country at large, and observed that people in the area, as end users of the road, should be saved from hardship and mishaps.

In a communiqué, which NULGE issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and read by the National Vice President, Comrade Prince Patrick Igwe, “the zone noted with dismay the deplorable condition of Onitsha-Enugu Express Road, and appealed to Southeast governors to jointly mobilise funds with a view to rehabilitating it. Although this is a federal road, the states, therefore could ask for a refund from the Federal Government.”

The communique jointly signed by the state President’s of Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia — Comrades A I, Onuoha, Jerry Nnubia, Kenneth E, Ugwueze, Leonard Nka and Ijeoma Onyenaucheya — further called on the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Council (NLC) and NULGE to intervene in Imo over the condition of parastastals and workers owed salaries for several months.

The zone further noted the hardship being experienced by health and agricultural staff in the local government system of Imo State due to non-payment of salaries for over six months, despite the fact that the state government has been receiving her monthly Federal allocations, including the bail-out funds”.

“The zone also frowned at the recent policy of Imo State government on concessioning of government hospitals, health centres and maternities, which has a monumental negative effect on the affected health staff, hence the call for intervention.

“The zone being so worried about the degree of damage by the menace of corruption, commends the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari for the proactive steps taken so far in addressing the problem of corruption in Nigeria.”

The zonal NULGE leaders also commended the governors of Anambra and Ebonyi states for the interest shown on the welfare of her members through regular payment of salaries as well as the efforts being made by the Enugu State Government in ensuring that workers salaries are being paid.