Organised Labour Blocks National Assembly Gate

By Akinwale Kasali

The ongoing nationwide strike by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and their affiliates has continued to have a toll, even at the Federal Capital Territory.

Wednesday morning, the gates leading to the National Assembly Complex were under lock and key. No one was allowed to have access to the National Assembly.

As early as 7.30 am,  the main gates including those leading to the Office of the  Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Villa were padlocked, leaving staff members, journalists, and visitors stranded.

There were speculations that there will be Plenary Sessions at the Senate and  the House of Representatives by the Lawmakers, but as at the time of filing this report, no one was allowed into the Complex  Security Operatives mounted a barricade at the entrances.

There were skeletal activities in the Federal Capital Territory, as some commercial banks in Areas 3 and 8 remained open.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, some schools were open and lessons were taught.

Also, some workers who spoke with NAN said the strike was uncalled for. They added that people were suffering, and that the strike would only increase the hardship and burden on the masses.

In Kano, however, the strike paralysed services in schools, clinics, banks and other financial institutions. NLC chairman in the state, Kabiru Inuwa, said they were working to ensure full compliance. “We are monitoring compliance as our officials are at the state secretariat to ensure workers do not resume in their offices,” he said

Flight activities went on as scheduled at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, had shut down economic activities at Nigeria’s premier seaports, Apapa and Tin-Can Island, in Lagos, as Port workers prevented users from accessing their offices.

Trucks were seen stranded on the access roads as they were not allowed into the port.

At the Lagos State secretariat in Alausa, there was partial compliance as workers were seen in  offices, while some decided to comply with NLC’s directives.

Agnes Sessi, the NLC Chairman in Lagos,  said it was compulsory for all workers to adhere to the NLC directives, stressing that members who do not comply would be reported to the National body. “Injury to one is an injury to all”, she said, and added that the congress could not fold its hands and watch while its National President was humiliated and brutalised because he was fighting for workers.

Her TUC counterpart, Gbenga Ekundayo, said every worker must comply with the joint directive. He said it was an avenue for Government to address the plight of workers.