The Anambra government says the deductions made from salaries of civil servants are to stabilise the capital of Ndiolu Micro Finance Bank (NMFB) Limited.

The bank, established over 10 years ago, is owned by the workers.

Harry Udu, Head of Service in Anambra, who briefed journalists in Awka, explained that the government made the deductions after consulting with labour unions.

“Some parties accused the government of deducting varying percentage from workers’ to recapitalise NMFB in line with the directive of Central Bank of Nigeria,” said Mr Udu.

He accused the opposition party of pitching the unions against Governor Willie Obiano.

Mr Udu further explained, “Ndiolu MFB is owned by the workers of Anambra. It is not owned by the government. The insinuation that the directive for the deductions for recapitalisation was made by Chief Willie Obiano is totally untrue and can only be borne out of political mischief.

“Our labour leaders, including the state NLC chairman, have already rebutted these false politically motivated statements and allegations.”

He attributed the allegations to politicking in the build-up to the November 6 governorship election.

“The service is there to serve any government that is duly elected. The effort to link these deductions to Obiano is a futile one since the workers know the truth.

“It is also untrue that workers’ welfare is not receiving adequate attention because governor Obiano is one of the best in that regard.

“We plead with political leaders not to waste time and effort in trying to introduce acrimony between the governor and workers as the cordial relation has lasted for seven years,” he said.

(NAN)