Fuel Strike: Enugu Workers Snub NLC, Resume Offices

Posted by African Examiner Enugu, Featured, Ignatius Okpara, Latest Headlines, News From The State Wednesday, May 18th, 2016

By Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

ENUGU, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Nationwide strike called by the comrade Ayuba Wabba led faction of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also called petrol; new Minimum Wage, among other demands Wednesday was a failure in Enugu State, as workers refused to participate in the exercise.

When AFRICAN EXAMINER moved visited some places in Enugu city, including the Federal and State secretariats, it was observed that government and private agencies including commercial banks were all open for business despite directive from the State NLC loyal to Wabba’s faction that all agencies should be shut down.

Our Correspondent gathered that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and (NLC) in the state were initially working together to execute the strike action until about 12 midnight Wednesday when a directive from the National leadership of TUC directed the state chapter to opt out of the planned industrial action.

A statement signed by Chairman and Secretary of the TUC in the State, Comrades Igbokwe Chukwuma and Benneth Asogwa, respectively, directed all workers under its affiliate unions to go on discharging their routine duties.

The industrial union however urged the national leadership of the congress not to relent in their effort to secure a better bargain for all Nigerians.

But the Vice Chairman of Enugu Chapter of NLC, Comrade Christopher Okezie insisted that the workers were participating in the strike, even when all government and private offices were open for work throughout the day

Okezie who claimed that the compliance level was 60 per cent, said they had already visited some agencies.

He assured that there would be total compliance on Thursday, adding that their mission was not to be violent but to sensitize the Nigerian masses.