Jalingo — The Taraba State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mark M. Ishaku, has said that the congress has concluded plans to build 5,000 houses for workers in the state under the 'owner occupier arrangement'.

Comrade Ishaku who said this in an interview with our correspondent, noted that the leadership of the congress took the 'bold step' to address the accommodation problems facing workers in the state.

"The present leadership has actualised this by engaging competent and reputable housing estate developers who are now on various sites clearing lands in preparation for the forthcoming foundation laying ceremony for the construction of not less than 5,000 different categories of houses to be distributed to civil servants in the state," he said.

He said that the congress in a bid to have a befitting office accommodation, approached the state government which had assisted in completing the abandoned NLC Labour House, situated along the Mile Six area of Jalingo Metropolis, now ready for commissioning.

Comrade Ishaku said that the state government has promised to pay N18, 000 minimum wages to local government workers "as soon as the final report of the successful screening of local government workers handled by NLC is received by the state government."

He urged workers in the state to remain dedicated and peaceful as no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of chaos and uncertainties.