Kwara council workers’ strike grounds activities in Irepodun

Administrative activities at the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara has been grounded as the sit-at-home embarked upon by the workers entered its third week.

The workers had joined their counterpart in other 15 councils across the state to demand payment of their outstanding salaries.

The gate to the council secretariat in Omu-Aran remained under lock and key on Tuesday when NAN visited.

The directive for the sit-at-home was said to have emanated from the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The development has adversely affected some applicants seeking to obtain vital official documents from the council.

Some of the applicants, who are mostly youths, were seen lamenting their difficulties outside the council secretariat.

One of the affected applicants, who preferred anonymity said that he was yet to obtain a citizenship certificate he had applied for.

“I needed the certificate to confirm my state and local government origin.

“But this sit-at-home by the workers has become a stumbling block,” he said.

Another applicant, Mr Abiodun Olasehinde, expressed sadness that the workers strike had negatively affected his opportunity to secure a job.

“I can only pray that the parties resolve this crisis amicably and in the interest of the people,” he said.

Mr Femi Oladipo, the council’s NULGE chairman said that the strike was indefinite until their demands were met.

“We are yet to receive a contrary directive from our headquarters in Ilorin for suspension of the strike,” he said.