By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Ministry of Steel Development have set up a 12-man committee to look into the implementation of judgment over the unlawful dismissal of Mr Victor Ekpaha, an accountant.
This is contained in a resolution reached at the end of a meeting between the NLC and the Ministry of Steel Development on Thursday in Abuja.
The resolution was signed by Mr Chris lsokpunwu, Permanent Secretary and Mr John Madaki, Acting Director, Legal Services in the ministry as well as Mr Eche Asuzu, Acting Head, Industrial Relations, NLC and Mr Stephen Knabayi, NLC Chairman, FCT Council.
It would be recalled that Ekpaha, an accountant with the National Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha, an agency under the ministry, was unlawfully dismissed in 2005 without payments and entitlements.
It would also be recalled that the NLC had earlier picketted the ministry over the unlawful sack of Ekpaha.
The resolution also include an appeal to the NLC to vacate the picketing of the ministry’s premises over the enforcement of the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).
According to the resolution, it was agreed by both parties that a 12- man committee be constituted to look into the issue.
“That is five members will be drawn from the NLC and five members from the Ministry of Steel Development while two members will be drawn from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“That the NLC should expeditiously nominate five members to form the committee to be co-chaired by a member from the NLC and the ministry.
“That the committee shall conclude its deliberations within 14 working days from the 14 day of April, 2025.”