Unpaid Salaries: Imo Workers Lock Lawmakers Out of State Assembly

Imo state lawmakers were locked out of the state house of assembly on Thursday by workers protesting non-payment of their salaries. 

Staff of the Imo State House of Assembly had on Wednesday, shut down power supply in the Assembly complex, switching off electrical appliances while lawmakers were in plenary.

As early as 8am Thursday, the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and angry House of Assembly workers barricaded the entrance to the Assembly complex denying lawmakers access to their offices and legislative chambers.

The workers, who were billed to commence full strike action Friday, were protesting four months arrears of unpaid salaries.

However the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim pleaded with the workers to give him a little time to redress the matter in the interest of all concerned.

He urged them to shelve their proposed strike action, saying it will jeopardise the smooth running of the Assembly and negatively impact activities of government.

He pleaded for time, noting that the Governor Rochas Okorocha was not in the state. He promised to meet the governor upon his return and take up the issue of their unpaid salaries.

Thereafter the lawmakers sat and quickly adjourned till next week.