Local government workers in Rivers State have suspended their planned strike after a closed-door meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The strike, which was to commence at midnight on Tuesday, stemmed from a dispute in Emohua Local Government Area where Council Chairman Chidi Lloyd withheld salaries of some staff he claimed had not been properly verified.
The meeting brought together leaders of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), members of the Local Government Service Commission, and Lloyd himself. Though details of the agreement were not disclosed, the discussions ended with a resolution that prompted workers to suspend their industrial action, which had already sparked protests along the Emohua axis of the East–West Road.
Addressing reporters afterward, Rivers State NULGE President Clifford Paul confirmed the suspension of the strike, assuring members that their grievances would be resolved. “We have resolved. His Excellency has directed that this matter will be handled harmoniously,” he said.
Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Israel Amadi, described the deliberations as “very fruitful,” praising the Governor for providing clear directives. Emohua Chairman Chidi Lloyd also commended Fubara’s intervention, stressing that the push for staff verification was not personal but about transparency.
What you should know
The Rivers State workers’ strike was suspended after Governor Fubara intervened in a dispute over salary verification in Emohua LGA.
His mediation brought the parties to a compromise, restoring calm and preventing a state-wide shutdown.
