MDAs shut as NLC strike records partial compliance in Abuja

Government activities were on Tuesday grounded in the federal capital territory (FCT) as many civil servants stayed away from the office in compliance with the two-day warning strike called by the  Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). 

On September 1, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, announced that the union would embark on a two-day warning strike on Tuesday over the impact of petrol subsidy removal on the masses.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Simon Lalong, the minister of labour and employment, appealed to the NLC to suspend the proposed warning strike.

Lalong noted that such a strike would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded by the new administration.

In a meeting slated to douse the strike on Monday afternoon, the leadership of NLC was absent as only Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), showed up for the sit-down. 

Checks by TheCable reporter, who went around the FCT, showed that while some ministries gave maximum compliance to the strike, others operated partially. 

MDAs DESERTED, PARTIAL OPENING IN SOME

When TheCable visited the federal secretariat complex where the majority of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are domiciled, only a few civil servants were seen.

At the federal ministry of education, the entrance gate was half opened while workers were seen seated in groups around the building.

A front desk officer, who identified herself as Sarah, told TheCable that the few workers who were around were those in the administration department.

She added that they came to the office “because the minister is around”.

“All of us you see here are only waiting to leave after the minister. You know it won’t make any sense for us to leave before the minister,” the front desk officer said.

Offices at the ministries of science and technology, youth and sports, information and culture, bureau of public reforms, and ecological fund office were also not opened.

Traffic on the ever-busy roads leading to the federal secretariat complex at the Three Arms zone  was also reduced compared to what it used to be during working hours.

Also, at the Radio House, where the federal ministry of information and other agencies such as the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and  Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) were located, workers were not around. TheCable noticed that all offices were locked while members of NLC enforcing the compliance of the strike barricaded the entrance gate, chanting solidarity songs.

BANKS COMPLIED

On Monday, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) said its members would join the industrial action.

A number of branches of banks visited by TheCable at Wuse 2, Garki Area 11 and Wuse Zone 2 in the FCT metropolis opened to customers while some were under lock and key.

The branches of United Banks for Africa (UBA) visited were not opened while Eco Bank offices maintained a skeletal operation.

At the Wuse 2 branch of the Eco Bank, customers were initially told the banking hall was closed, but a few number of them were later allowed in.