- In October, a federal high court in Abuja restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN ) from further releasing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.
- The court held that monies from the federation account should not be released to the state pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a validly constituted house of assembly.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), President Joe Ajaero, has condemned the court order halting Rivers State’s financial allocations.
Ajaero spoke on Friday in Port Harcourt, criticizing the federal high court’s decision to restrain the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing funds.
In October, the court ordered the CBN to withhold allocations pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a validly constituted house of assembly.
The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a five-member assembly was improper.
Ajaero vowed to oppose any delay in workers’ salaries, stating, “Rivers is among states where workers collect salaries promptly. We will jointly fight any delay.”
He reaffirmed the NLC’s support for Rivers workers, saying, “We have heard their cry and will stand with them.”
The dispute stems from Fubara’s presentation of an N800 billion budget estimate to the Edison Ehie faction of the house of assembly in December 2023.
The Rivers house of assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, filed a suit to stop the CBN and others from honoring Fubara’s financial instructions.
Fubara has since appealed the court judgment.
Ajaero emphasized the NLC’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights.