Socio-economic activities in Akwa Ibom State are paralysed following a two-day warning strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the fuel subsidy removal.
Reports monitored by Straightnews shows that in most state in the country, the strike is successful.
In Akwa Ibom, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat along Abak Road, Dakkada Secretariat, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo and other government offices are under lock.
Also read: NLC Shuns FG’s meeting, strike in the air
It also gathered that only skeletal services are being carried out by key offices in Government House, Uyo while the rest are under lock.
Even commercial banks are said to be closed except their ATM outlets and POS are open to customers.
Speaking with Passion FM, Uyo, today, the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Sunny James confirmed that the strike in the state is ‘‘successful.’’
James said the body has mobilized all the units to observe the strike.
On the non-participation of Trade Union Congress (TUC), he called off the bluff of the body that ‘‘I do not have business with them and I know that they do not have business with us.’’
He, therefore, called on all NLC members to ensure strict compliance with the directive of the national body and the public to cooperate with NLC to finding lasing solutions to the economic hardship facing Nigerians based on the fuel subsidy removal.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) has joined the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the “punishing” economic situation in the country.
The union stated this in a circular dated September 2, 2023 signed by its General Secretary, Mohammed Sheikh, and addressed to “All Zonal Councils/Domestic Committee”.
According to the bank employees, the industrial action was in line with the communiqué issued after the meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The NLC executive committee meeting held last Thursday directed that all affiliates should direct all its members to commence two days’ withdrawal of services on Tuesday (today) and Wednesday.
“The directive is imperative to get the needed attention of government and warn it of its newfound love of meddling in the internal affairs of unions rather than address the punishing economic circumstances we find ourselves.
“We hereby direct all our organs to comply with this directive by ensuring all our members stay off-duty for the two days. Your cooperation in this regard will be appreciated.”
How the strike grew
Recall that the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, had decalred the industrial action last Friday.
President Bola Tinubu announced in his inaugural speech on May 29 that “fuel subsidy is gone“, which has since led to fuel prices as much as tripling nationwide and a rising cost of living.
The labour union is accusing the Federal Government of abandoning the negotiations and failing to implement some of the resolutions from previous meetings with the government.
On August 2, organised labour protested what it described as the anti-people policies of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliate unions demonstrated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and several states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.
The protest followed a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government demanding “the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers.”
The union also demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, saying that since the President’s “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech of May 29, 2023, the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone.
Several meetings between the Presidency and the unions on palliatives for Nigerians suffering hardship in the wake of the petrol subsidy removal proved abortive.
Last month, NLC president Joe Ajaero argued that the N5 billion approved for each state and the FCT to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal was inadequate to impact on the people.
