Blackout, cancelled flights as labour grounds activities in Imo

Many passengers were stranded at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport in Owerri, Imo capital, due to the disruption of flights by Organised Labour in the state.

On Wednesday, Organized Labour declared an indefinite strike in Imo following the disruption of the Workers’ Day celebration in the state by thugs alleged to be working for the government.

Commercial activities, to a large extent, were also grounded while some banks and some other government agencies did not comply with the strike. There was also a blackout in some parts of the state.

Reacting to the development, the state accused Joe Ajaero, NLC president, of working for the enemies of the government.

In a statement, Declan Emelumba, Imo commissioner for information, accused Ajaero of being against the leaders of the NLC state chapter owing to his “failure to recruit them to amplify his rabid hatred for the state governor”.

“It is to the glory of God that contrary to the vain wishes of President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, Imo workers and pensioners in their numbers, converged at Real Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square on 1st of May, 2023, for yet another memorable May Day celebration,” Emelumba said.

“The smiles and clear expressions of joy on the face of thousands of workers who turned up for the historic event clearly showed that they were not coerced to be present. They were simply there on their own accord.

“Yet, Joe Ajaero, in his reckless press statements, claimed that the leaders of the 22 industrial unions of NLC in Imo state who organized the labour day celebration, were stooges of the government. This is simply laughable because these union leaders were there before the emergence of Joe Ajaero as the President of NLC.

“It is an open secret that the grouse Joe Ajaero has with these leaders is that they refused to be recruited into his force to amplify his rabid hatred for the governor and state government, fired purely by his selfish political and clannish interest.

“That was why he negated due process and quickly moved to install a Caretaker Committee in Imo state, and went on to appoint his classmate, friend and kinsman, the chairman.”