From: Gyang Bere, Jos
A group, under the aegis of Sheria Area and Customary Court Judges Association of Nigeria (SACCJAN), in Plateau State, has served Governor Simon Lalong with a 14-day ultimatum to pay their nine years outstanding dressing allowances or proceed on an indefinite sit down strike action.
In a letter signed by the Chairman, Hon. Ayuba Danzel and Secretary, Hon. Frank Lojok dated May 23 and obtained by Daily Sun, the body lamented the discrimination in the payment of the said dressing allowances which their counterparts in the Ministry of Justice have been enjoying.
“We the entire Judges of the Lower Court Bench do unanimously give 14 days ultimatum for the payment of our outstanding dressing allowances which has not been paid for about nine years.
“In the event were our demands are not met within the said 14 days, we shall be left with no other option than to down tool and commence a sit down strike till our demands are complied with. This is with effect from 23 May, 2017.”
Hon. Danzel said the association has consulted all constituted authorities on the matter but no concrete step has been taken towards resolving the abnormalities, adding that they are left with no alternative than to issue a14 days ultimatum to place the Governor on notice concerning their pending action.
In a swift reaction, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Hon. Dan Manjang appealed to the Judges to shelve their action and tour the path of dialogue rather than embarking on sit down strike the would ground the judicial system.
He noted that workers and pensioners have received their monthly salaries up to date and effort is in the pipe line to settle all outstanding allowances of civil servants in the state.
Hon. Manjang pleaded with them to exercise restraint and be patient with the Governor as he has vowed to attend to all matters that concern welfare of public servants.