By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Delta Government, on Monday, said it would continue to be fair, just and compassionate about issues relating to members of the organised labour and its affiliate unions in the state.
The Chief of Staff, Government House, Olorogun David Edevbie stated this on behalf of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa when members of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Delta State Council, staged a peaceful protest to Government House over some federal government educational policies.
Olorogun Edevbie thanked the protesters for their peaceful conduct and assured them that their demands would be routed to the appropriate quarters for prompt action.
He harped on the need for labour leaders to always see dialogue as a veritable tool to address every agitation, stressing that no meaningful development could be achieved in a chaotic environment.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Chris Akpede said the protest was to draw the attention of the state government to the widely publicised far-reaching policy statement made by the federal government in favour of teachers in the country.
Comrade Akpede disclosed that the far-reaching policy statement of President Mohammadu Buhari during the 2020 World Teachers Day that harmonised retirement age for teachers in Nigeria including other packages in form of allowances was discriminatory in nature as members of NASU were not considered for such benefits.
According to him, the fundamental objective and directive principle of state policies of the federal republic of Nigeria (1999 constitution as amended), states among other educational objectives of Nigeria, that the government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate education opportunities at all levels.
