ABIA GOVT DEFENDS HANDLING OF JUDICIARY STRIKE, FAULTS NBA COMMUNIQUÉ

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Abia state government says it intentionally reserved details of the negotiations out of the public domain to create an enabling environment for constructive dialogue and meaningful engagement with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, and other stakeholders union over its strike.

To this end, the State Government has criticised a communiqué issued by the State Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Body of Chairmen.

The Director-General of Strategic Communication, Onyebuchi Ememanka, stated this while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

Mr Ememanka who was reacting to the communiqué which reportedly issued an ultimatum to the State government to resolve the lingering judiciary strike or face mass action by the lawyers said the communiqué did not reflect current realities.

Responding to the NBA’s claim that the Governor Otti ignored its request for a courtesy visit, the Governor’s Aide said due process must be followed adding that the letter was still undergoing administrative processes.

On the alleged claim that the Attorney-General declined a meeting with the NBA, Mr Ememanka clarified that the Attorney-General was out of town on official duty stressing that it is unfair to characterize the situation as a deliberate snub.

Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, noted that the state government has been transparent in its efforts to resolve the impasse and expressed optimism that the JUSUN would in due course, call off the industrial action in the interest of sustaining ongoing development across the state.

He noted that subventions provided to the judiciary already grant them the latitude to prioritise and execute capital expenditures, including procurement decisions, without undue interference and maintained that full autonomy, as often interpreted, would require structural adjustments at the federal level.