By Christian Njoku

Magistrates in Cross River have insisted on the continuation of their 11-day-old strike following the failure of the state government to agree to their vehicle demand.

The Chairman of the state chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Onah said their negotiations with the State Government for official vehicles are inconclusive.

Noah, who spoke in Calabar said discussions were still ongoing but the government had maintained its earlier position, in spite fresh proposals by the union.

Onah said that the dispute with the government centred principally on the provision of official vehicles for the over 74 magistrates in the state.

According to him, the government proposed to provide 15 vehicles in the budget cycle ending in March, but the magistrates considered the number grossly inadequate.

“We initially requested 37 vehicles at once, representing half of our member, with the remainder to be delivered on or before June.

“After the government refused to adjust its offer, the union reviewed its position and proposed a three-tranche arrangement.

“Under the new proposal, 25 vehicles would be delivered in March, 25 in June and the remaining 24 in September,” Onah said.

He said that government had yet to respond to the association’s revised proposal.

He said that they would suspend the strike and resume duties, “if the government agreed to the 25-25-24 arrangement”.

Onah said that although other issues, such as accommodation and security were pending, the provision of vehicles remained the association’s immediate priority.

He said that vehicles would ease transportation challenges and improve judicial service delivery across the state.

He further said that the association was mindful of the state’s financial constraints and ongoing commitments, including efforts to recover oil wells.

Onah said that the group had exercised patience since 2012, when the issue of official vehicles was first raised.

“Renewed assurances were given in 2024 but had yet to yield concrete action,” he said.

He, therefore, appealed to the State Government to approve the instalment plan and resolve the lingering dispute in the interest of justice delivery. (NAN)

Source; PM News