Edo LG workers protest non- payment of salary arrears

Commercial activities in Benin, the Edo State capital, was on Wednesday grounded following a mass protest by local government workers over the non-payment of their salary arrears. The aggrieved workers, under the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, marched in their hundreds from Five junction to Ring Road before making their way to Sapele road. It was learnt that the protesters comprised employees of the 18 local government councils of the state. Traffic on the road has been grounded for several hours as motorists struggle to manoeuvre their way out of the protest. The protesters carried various placards, lamenting the failure of the local government authorities to pay the outstanding salary ranging from two to 18 months. Though, none of the protesters agreed to grant press interviews, the State Chairman of NULGE, Edward Ilenikhena, had on Tuesday told The PUNCH that the union would embark on an indefinite strike immediately after the protest. Details later…