Labour VS C'River Government face off : Let Sanity Prevail-APC Chieftain

Barr Venatius Ikem

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State,  Barrister Venatius Ikem has called on both government and Organized Labour in the state to allow sanity prevail over the ongoing strike action embarked by workers.

Ikem who made the call in a statement issued in Calabar regreted that instead of finding solutions to the crisis,  both sides seem to be digging deeper into entrenched positions.

He advised government to eschew bitterness and rise to the occasion with the view to finding solution to the crisis irrespective of who is wrong.

According to the statement,  "I have viewed with concern the recent events and circumstances that have snowballed into a full blown Industrial Action by the Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress. While the sabre rattling lasted  we had assumed that as always frayed nerves will calm down with the pursuit of  level headed discussions that will lead to the avoidance of a  needless Industrial Action with its attendant consequences on the already very low productive economy of the state bringing with it hardship, unprecedented crime rates and debilitating poverty.  ‎

"It is regrettable that instead of finding solutions both sides seem to be digging deeper into entrenched positions. This to say the least will be counter productive especially for government. While not attempting to lay all blames on the doorstep of  government, I think it behoves more on government at times like this to rise to the o‎ccasion and show leadership irrespective of who is perceived to be wrong. The public is less concerned about this because we expect government to act at all times in the best interest of the public not claim right".

He "called on labour to equally be  open  to negotiations because as always, no matter how long this lasts it will still end up on the same negotiation table. To avoid needless further hardship that will compound the rather precarious security and economic situation in the state, it makes more sense for all parties to see the need to as a matter of urgency sheath their swords, swallow their pride/  egos and engage in sensible talks with a view to finding an immediate and lasting solution ‎to the problems leading to this unfortunate en passe"

Continuing he maintained that "Let me specifically say that by now what I would have expected is a concerted effort by Government to set up a respectable negotiating Team to commence serious negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress instead of an attempt to use force or threats to achieve their objective because this has never worked before and will only exacerbate the problem,  elongate the crisis , create enmity and polarize the positions of all contending parties to the dispute". ‎
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While advising that both parties should be reasonable in their actions he added that "I look forward to a fruitful and amicable resolution of the legitimate agitations of all parties and hope that both will accept reasonable compromises that will lead to the meeting of all their aspirations on  all ‎issues in the interest of peace, security and well being of our dear state and especially her already suffering and overburdened citizens"