Abuja in standstill mode as NLC strike halts government operations
Abuja in standstill mode as NLC strike halts government operations
Some government offices in Abuja and other locations are currently closed as part of the two-day nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), according to observations made by The PUNCH.
Our correspondent visited the Federal Secretariat on Tuesday morning, as well as other key areas like the popular Radio House which houses various agencies under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
These areas appeared deserted as workers chose to stay home. Additionally, banks in these surveyed areas were also closed and inaccessible.
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When our correspondent visited a major commercial bank located at the Federal Secretariat, they were informed that banking operations would be suspended due to the NLC strike.
The NLC’s decision to initiate this strike was outlined in a communique released last Friday, jointly signed by its national president, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja.
This decision came after the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government to engage in a dialogue with organized labour and stakeholders regarding efforts to alleviate the impact of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, on the “poor masses.”
In August, organized labour conducted a one-day protest that brought major cities across the country to a standstill.
Among the reasons listed for mobilizing its members for this nationwide shutdown, the NLC accused the police of laying siege to the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), alleged exploitation of workers’ rights in Imo State, interference in trade union matters by the Abia State government, and the proposed demolition by the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, among other grievances.