From Yakubu Busari, Jos
Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development
Minister for Women Affairs ands Social Development, Mrs Pauline Tallen was held hostage for more two hours in Mangu Local Government Council by workers protesting the non- implementation of the new minimum wage by the Plateau state government.
The workers who had been protesting for the past two days, on Thursday blocked the major road linking the people of Plateau southern senatorial district as the minister landed in a chopper at Haipang Airport heading to Shendam LGA for the final lap in the campaign by her political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of Saturday’s scheduled senatorial by- election there.
The minister convoy was held hostage for several hours and when appeals to the workers to allow her go through failed, she had to seek the intervention of the National Auditor of ALGON ,Comrade Ayuba Shamdung Jepla. Before help came, she however solicited the cooperation of the workers by commending their resilience and commitment to duty ,even though she urged them not to allow criminal elements to hijacked their peaceful protest .
She told them that the dwindling economic had cripple and affected the affairs of governance, both at the state and central administration.
Ayuba quickly came to the rescue of the situation by appealing to the striking workers to allow the minister pass as the unions were working towards addressing their plight .
He lamented that over nine years the workers have been suffering as a result of being placed on half salary. He pledged that the unions have entered into negotiations with the state government to address the situation.
