By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Economic and social activities in Akwa Ibom were on Tuesday paralysed following a two-day warning strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
This is despite a last minute pull out of the strike by affiliate unions of the Trade Union Congress, TUC.
The Idongesit Nkanga State Secretariat Complex, the Dakkada Secretariat Annex Complex and the Federal Secretariat Complex all in Uyo and other government offices were under lock.
It was also gathered that only skeletal services were being carried out by key offices in Government House while commercial banks were closed except for their ATM outlets.
Speaking in a radio station in Uyo, State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Sunny James confirmed that the strike in the state as ‘‘successful” adding that the body has mobilized all the units to observe the strike.
On the non-participation of TUC, James said that, ‘‘I do not have business with them and I know that they do not have business with us.’’
The chairman 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.
It would be recalled that the National Executive Committee of the NLC had last Thursday directed all affiliates to direct it’s 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.” It had said in a statement.
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.
Organised labour had earlier protested what it described as the anti-people policies of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
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.
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.
