The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella Kingdom, Engr. Mike Sado, has facilitated the recall of over 400 truck drivers sacked by the management of BUA Cement Plc.
The sacked drivers reportedly protested over alleged poor conditions of service.
DAILY POST reports that the industrial dispute leading to the recall of the staff was brokered by the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Engr. Mike Sado.
The resolution of the crisis has brought an end to a protracted labour dispute that had disrupted economic activities in the community.
Mike Sado, the traditional ruler of the kingdom, disclosed this after leading a high-powered delegation to meet with the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu. He said the sacking of the drivers eventually led to the shutting down of the company’s transport operations in Okpella.
He said that during the visit, he had a robust and extensive discussion with the chairman of the company on the need to amicably resolve the impasse.
“These were issues that even the state government is aware of, and community leaders had been making efforts to resolve them. When the drivers protested, management sacked about 400 of them and shut down the entire transport system, which created serious economic challenges.
“We pleaded with the chairman, and after deliberations, we all agreed that the drivers should be reinstated. Before now, management had concluded they would not be recalled, but the intervention yielded positive results,” he said.
He opined that the intervention became necessary following protests by the affected drivers, which led to their dismissal and the eventual shutdown of the company’s transport operations in Okpella.
While noting that the situation had worsened unemployment and hardship among residents, he said the delegation appealed for leniency and reconsideration of the company’s earlier decision not to recall the affected workers.
The traditional ruler also disclosed that, besides reinstatement, the BUA chairman approved the payment of salary arrears owed to the workers for the period they were out of employment.
He said the management agreed to pay the affected staff all the salary arrears from January to March 2026.
The Okuokpellagbe further added that the meeting also addressed broader community development concerns, including the long-promised construction of a hospital by BUA Cement.
He explained that the designs for the hospital are ready, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony will be held any moment from now.
He, however, reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare of his people, stating that the resolution of the labour dispute was part of efforts to uplift living standards and create opportunities for youths in the community.
“Disputes are inevitable in any society, but the ability to resolve conflicts amicably remains key to progress.
“What is important is not the absence of crisis, but the willingness to resolve issues and move forward for the collective good,” he stated.
