Magistrates in Cross River on Friday said their negotiations with the state government over official vehicles are inconclusive, insisting on the continuation of their 11-day-old strike.

The chairman of the state chapter of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Godwin Onah, said in Calabar that discussions were still ongoing, but the government maintained its earlier position despite fresh proposals by the union.

Mr Onah said 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 members, 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,” Mr Onah said.

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

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

Mr Onah said that although other issues, such as accommodation and security, were pending, the provision of vehicles remained the association’s immediate priority, as they would ease transportation challenges and improve judicial service delivery.

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

Mr Onah said 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)