Magistrates in Cross River on Wednesday embarked on a three-day warning strike over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service. This was announced in a statement signed by Godwin Onah, Cross River chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria and his secretary, Solomon Abuo, on Wednesday.

In the document, the magistrates noted that the strike would cease once the government met their demands.

They said the government had failed to implement promotions and see their overall welfare and working environment.

“Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated November 11 where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday November 22 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.

“In line therefore with our congress resolution to proceed on a warning strike, three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the magistrates.

“This action in the first instance, will be effective from 6:00 a.m. of Wednesday, November 27 to Friday, November 29. If the state government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met,” it said.

Earlier in the month, the magistrates issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to promote its members, which had remained stagnant since 2015.

The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly imprest to magistrates in the state when compared to magistrates in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.

While also demanding the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association condemned the government for not providing official vehicles to its members.

It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres, as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.

(NAN)