By Kwaghvihi Terfa

Workers at the Gboko Local Government Secretariat in Benue State on Thursday shut down the council premises in compliance with the ongoing strike action declared by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The workers accused the government of failing to pay their March and April salaries, saying the delays had worsened the economic hardship faced by civil servants amid rising living costs.

Activities at the Gboko Local Government Secretariat were brought to a halt on Thursday after workers shut down the council premises as part of the ongoing strike action directed by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The workers reportedly locked the main gate of the Secretariat and gathered in large numbers to demonstrate solidarity with the industrial action.

As of the time of filing this report, the NULGE Chairman in Gboko, Comrade John Chiahemba Yongu, was addressing workers at the Secretariat, urging members to remain united during the strike.

According to the protesting workers, they are yet to receive their March and April salaries and have not been given any convincing explanation regarding the delay.

The workers lamented that the prolonged salary situation had subjected them to financial hardship at a time when many Nigerians are already struggling with the economic effects of fuel subsidy removal and rising cost of living.

Some of the workers also criticised the administration of Hyacinth Alia, alleging that local government employees have continued to face welfare challenges under the current economic climate.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Chairman of Gboko Local Government, Hon. Barr. Torseer Yina, were unsuccessful as of press time. Calls placed to his phone line were reportedly neither answered nor returned.

The strike action is expected to affect administrative activities and public services within the local government area pending further developments.