Benue council workers shut down secretariat amid NULGE strike over unpaid salaries

Activities at the Gboko Local Government Secretariat in Benue State were halted on Thursday when workers closed the council premises as part of a strike led by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

According to reports, the workers locked the main gate of the Secretariat and assembled in large numbers to show solidarity with the industrial action.

Comrade John Yongu, the NULGE chairman in Gboko, addressed the workers at the Secretariat and urged them to stay united during the strike.

The striking workers say they have not received their March and April salaries and have not been given a satisfactory explanation for the delay.

They added that the prolonged salary issue has caused financial hardship, especially at a time when many Nigerians are already struggling with the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal and rising living costs.

Some workers also criticised the administration of Hyacinth Alia, claiming that local government employees continue to face welfare challenges amid the current economic climate.

Attempts to obtain an official response from Gboko Local Government Chairman Hon. Barr. Torseer Yina were unsuccessful at the time of this report. Calls to his phone line were reportedly unanswered and not returned.

The strike is expected to disrupt administrative activities and public services within the local government area until further developments arise.