By Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Plateau State said on Tuesday that it is saddened by the blocking of major roads in the state by protesting local government workers.

The Chairman, Alhaji Yusha’u Mohammed, made this known while presenting a letter to the government in Jos.

He said: “Here in Plateau State, we have played a significant role in providing employment for over 24,000 young people and adults.

“As a responsible privately driven organisation, we are saddened by the recent development in the state, as well respected unions such as the NUT, NULGE and NANNM will take the law into their hands by blocking major roads, thereby disrupting vehicular movement in the name of labour demand.”

Read Also; Protests: NARTO, NUPENG, NURTW demand compensation

NURTW threatened to hold the government accountable for allowing the workers to attack and molest its members in the name of protest.

“We shall take legal actions against the government and council workers. We see this as an affront on our members and we shall not take it any longer. The demonstration has also affected businesses in Jos North and Jos South. This is a bad development for the state,” Mohammed said.

Receiving the letter, Governor Simon Lalong said the payment of the new minimum wage is sacrosanct.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Danladi Atu, said: ”Government is assuring its citizens, workers and non- workers that it has their interest at heart and will not do anything deliberately to shortchange them.

He said the government is holding meetings with the council workers to meet their demand.

Police Commissioner Mr. Edward Egbuka appealed to the local government workers to embrace dialogue rather than resorting to blocking of roads.