The labour union in Enugu State yesterday withdrew its threat of a showdown with the government for purchasing Prado Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for members of the House of Assembly and other government officials.
Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe told reporters that workers had been properly briefed on the true situation of things.
Praising Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for having a listening ear, Igbokwe said: “We met with the governor and he gave us the true situation and we reconciled issues. I praise the governor’s mode of operation for having a listening ear and always clearing the air.”
Commissioner for Information Godwin Udeuhele said the vehicles were not free, but would be returned to the government at the end of their tenure.
“There were insinuations that the governor gave out cars to the legislators and other government officials. After discussions, labour understood that no vehicle was given out; it’s a pool of vehicles and at the expiration of their tenure, those vehicles become government’s property.
The Speaker, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said no lawmaker received free vehicle from government, stressing that the cars were duly allocated to them.