After a long legal battle, Anambra State government and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) have reached an out-of-court settlement over the dissolution of the Anambra State Water Corporation.
The settlement agreement was signed on Thursday by both parties at the Conference Hall of the Anambra State Head of Service (HoS), Awka.
The HoS, Theodora Igwegbe expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for resolving the matter amicably and praised the Out-of-Court Committee and the AUPCTRE leaders for their cooperation and understanding.
The Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Julius Chukwuemeka reiterated the governor’s commitment to restoring water supply in the state and said that the settlement was a necessary step to addressing the challenges in the water sector.
He also said that the settlement saved the state ₦1.3 billion and offered a chance for the former staff of the Water Corporation to be re-employed after a screening process.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation, Ejiofor Ikeobi reiterated the state government’s commitment to getting portable and clean water running in the state again as “this groundbreaking occasion of settlement has paved the way for the good work plan of Governor Soludo to deliver his campaign promises as stated in his manifesto.’’
He assured that the agreement would be honoured in all honesty.
The National President of AUPCTRE, Benjamin Anthony, who led the union delegation, thanked Soludo, the government team and the Out-of-Court Committee for their sincerity and efforts in settling the matter.
He appealed to the affected workers to be patient with the government to fulfil its part of the agreement and hoped that the government would pay the workers the agreed amount.
The event was also attended by the Attorney General of the state, Sylvia Ifemeje; the Accountant General, Chukwudi Okoli; the Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Humphrey Nwafor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Water Resources and the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service.
