Anambra State Govt, AUPCTRE Settles Out Of Court Over Defunct State Water Corporation
The signing which took place at the Conference Hall of the Anambra State Head of Service brought to and end over 14 years long legal battle between the two parties.
In her remark after signing the agreement, the Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for having the matter resolved out of the court under his watch, as well as members of the Out-of-Court Committee on the matter and AUPCTRE leaders for their dispositions and efforts in resolving issues on the table.
On his part, the Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engineer Julius Chukwuemeka, who restated Governor Soludo’s determination to restore water supply in Anambra, which he said can not be achieved without resolving pending issues around water resources and supply, described the signing of the agreement as a step towards making Anambra livable and prosperous.
He expressed delight that the development has saved Anambra State 1.3 billion naira, even as part of the agreement provided for reabsorption of any staff of the defunct water corporation after necessary interview to determine eligibility.
Contributing, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, said Governor Soludo has broken new ground in moving the state forward, and promised to ensure that the terms of the agreement signed by both parties are passed in court as consent judgement.
National President of AUCPTRE, Mr. Benjamin Anthony, who led other union members to the event, thanked Governor Soludo, government team and the Out-of-Court Committee for their sincerity and efforts in resolving the matter.
While appealing to workers involved to be patient with government to fulfill own part of the agreement, Mr. Anthony expressed hope that the government will pay the workers agreed amount.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Water Resources Management and Urban Water Supply Asset Holdings Corporation, Engr Ikeobi Ejiofor, Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, among others were present at the event.
