Nigerian Labour Congress Blocks Office of the Head of Officer in Calabar

Members of the action committee of various unions such as the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in Cross River State have blocked the premises of the state secretariat and office of the Head of Service, Mrs Geraldine Ekanem.

They said they have written series of letters to the Head of Service over the introduction of twenty five thousand (25,000) naira exam fee for directors who are due for the post of permanent secretaries.

Speaking to newsmen in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital, Chairman, Nigerian Civil Service Union, Mr Raymond Aka noted that 150 directors have already paid the money while they have only 10 openings for permanent secretaries.

He alleged that they initially had 12 openings but 2 were given out based on favouritism to persons who did not write exams.

The Labour union leaders described the fee as illegal and demanded that the money be refunded to the directors as they were not meant to pay any cash for the examinations.

Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Godwin Otein who confirmed that 75 directors have been refunded their money said the development is a victory for the labour unions.