A group, Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged, CENTREP, has issued the Delta State Government seven days notice to defray the thirteen months’ salaries being owed local government workers with the Paris Club loan refund.

CENTREP handed down the notice in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi.

The group also threatened to institute a “public interest suit” against the Delta State Government”, to enforce the fundamental rights of council workers across the 25 Local Government Council Areas in the State.

While noting that the workers in the twenty five local government councils were being owed thirteen months salary arrears, CENTREP condemned the act, saying,” It is a crime against humanity.”

“It is on the basis of the above development we call for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make the third tier of Government autonomous.

“We call on the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi  Okowa to immediately use part of the over 150 billion naira Paris Fund refund money to defray the 13 months’ salary arrears of Council workers across the 25 Local Government Council Areas of the State, as we believe that nonpayment of the salary arrears is an invitation to hunger and starvation.

“Hunger and starvation no doubt are a twin threat to the right to life of the average Nigerian worker who toils night and day to eke out a living for himself and his family.

“Under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) the Fundamental Rights of the average Nigerian worker to life is guaranteed, and we shall not hesitate to enforce same in any Law Court within the Nigerian Federation.”

CENTREP stated that the State Governors were depriving the local governments, whose monthly allocations from the Federation Account were paid into a Joint Account.