Delta State workers are expected to return to their duty posts on Monday following the suspension of a protest by organised labour over the death of a Deputy Director in the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Unity Adeda.
The decision was reached after labour leaders met with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the state government set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Goodluck Ofobruku, announced the resumption in a statement on Sunday, directing workers to report for duty by 8am.
Ofobruku said the police were already investigating the criminal aspect of the case, adding that some arrests had been made.
He said, “We will now come to work. There are processes. We must give days of ultimatum and so on before we get back on track. We did this to look into the matter, and the police have made some arrests.”
According to him, labour decided to suspend the protest after the state government began responding to its demands and assured the union that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death would be properly investigated.
He said, “If government has started answering us, there’s no need for us to continue to withdraw our services. We want the police to do their investigation and the panel required to look into and find those who are responsible.”
Ofobruku added that the union would cooperate with the Administrative Panel of Inquiry while allowing the police to continue their investigation.
He said, “So we decided that there is no need to stay at home again. We’ll go to work while the panel works and the police do their investigation.”
The NLC chairman urged workers to remain calm and continue with their duties, while assuring Adeda’s family of the union’s support.
The directive was also backed by the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in the state, Willson Asekutu.
Adeda reportedly died in hospital a day after an alleged confrontation at the state secretariat in Asaba, prompting concerns and protests among state workers.
