The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Niger State Council, has called on the outgoing Governor of Niger State, Abubarkar Sani Bello to make fertiliser and other farm inputs available at subsidized rates for jobless youths and civil servants engaged in farming.  These demands were contained in a speech read by the state Chairman, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene on the occasion of the 2023 International Workers’ Day.

Part of the 21 ‘lingering demands’ expected from Governor Bello as parting gift to civil servants in Niger state before the 29th May 2023 handover day, Comrade Lafene said is for him to reciprocate the cooperation enjoyed from civil servants during his eight years tenure.

During the May Day celebration which took place at the 1-2-3 parade ground, Minna, the state capital, the organised labour did not hide their displeasure that Governor Bello did not implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) approved since 2018.

He added that, ‘we passionately appeal to the government to provide affordable fertilizers, seeds and farm inputs at a subsidized rate’.  Providing farm inputs at an affordable rate, Lafene said will encourage not only the conventional farmers but motivate unemployed youths to embrace agriculture as a vocation instead of idling away time or being lured into becoming veritable tools for self-destruction.

Comrade Lafene nevertheless called on civil servants to take their primary assignments seriously by being patriotic and dedicated to their duties, adding that a situation whereby workers abandon their duty posts for whatsoever reasons (s) will no longer be tolerated.  Lafene who also called for the establishment of the Niger State Organised Labour Political Commission said, “We wish to impress on civil servants in the state to take their primary assignments seriously and be patriotic at their respective duty posts”. 

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Source: Agro Nigeria 

https://agronigeria.ng/may-day-provide-inputs-fertiliser-at-subsidized-rates-as-parting-gift-civil-servants-farmers-urge-niger-gov/