The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Lower Niger River Basin Authority unit, has distanced itself from a picketing of the authority’s premises by the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees.

The NUAAE, in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress, picketed the agency in protest against its management’s policies, according to a statement jointly signed by the chairman and secretary of the ASCSN-LNRBDA unit, Peter Olusegun and Usman Shaaba, respectively, on Monday.

“The union is an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress. It received no communication or consultation regarding the May 11 protest and therefore had no involvement in the exercise,” Mr Olusegun said.

The union alleged that it was not consulted and condemned the disruption of official activities and the conduct of the protesters as inconsistent with peaceful labour practices.

The ASCSN chairman affirmed the constitutional right of workers and labour organisations to lawful assembly and peaceful expression of grievances.

It, however, stressed that such actions must be conducted responsibly and within the bounds of industrial civility, public order, and respect for others’ rights.

According to the association, members of staff were denied access to their workplace, normal official activities were disrupted, and innocent schoolchildren were prevented from entering educational facilities on the premises.

“Several individuals also sustained injuries while attempting to gain entry through the main gate,” the association said.

According to it, of particular concern was an alleged attack on its LNRBDA Unit Chairman during the incident.

This, the association said, included an attempt to assault him with a metal object amid the confusion at the entrance gate.

It said that such conduct was condemnable and undermined the principles of peaceful labour engagement.

According to the chairman and secretary, video recordings, photographic materials, and eyewitness accounts documented acts of aggression, obstruction, intimidation, and violence during the exercise, contradicting claims that the protest was entirely peaceful and orderly.

The association also said that the picketing lacked a clearly articulated industrial agenda beyond chants calling for the removal of a member of the management and allegations of victimisation.

According to it, this raised questions about the true objectives of the action.

It maintained that labour unionism should focus on collective staff welfare, constructive engagement, industrial peace, and institutional progress, rather than actions that create tension, intimidation, or avoidable confrontation.

Mr Olusegun said that the management had acknowledged genuine welfare concerns, including unresolved salary and welfare-related matters, which were currently being looked into.

The ASCSN chairman said it remained committed to exhausting lawful dialogue, negotiation, and established industrial mechanisms before resorting to actions that could negatively affect workers, public peace, and institutional operations.

He also called on all stakeholders to embrace maturity, dialogue, mutual respect, and responsible union conduct in handling industrial matters within the authority.

“The association reaffirms its commitment to professionalism, lawful engagement, industrial harmony, staff welfare, and the collective progress of the LNRBDA,” he said.

Earlier in her reaction, the chairperson of the Women Committee of the Kwara chapter of the NLC, Victoria Agboola, alleged that the authority’s management embarked on the victimisation of staff members.

She also alleged that union leaders faced demotion at work for their stance against the Management’s anti-labour policies.

(NAN)