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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Ondo, Ekiti workers stay away from offices
THE nationwide strike over the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products was successful in Ekiti and Ondo states yesterday as workers stayed away from offices.
In Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, all government offices were shut.
Commercial vehicle operators in the town also withdrew their vehicles from the road in the early hours of yesterday. However, many of them returned to the roads before noon.
Also, many shops, closed in the morning, had started opening for business by mid-day.
The success of the strike is not unconnected with the mobilisation efforts of the state council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which met with various unions last weekend.
The strike equally affected public schools in the state as pupils in both primary and post-primary schools were turned back at the gates of their schools.
But all the private primary and post-primary schools did not join the strike as they opened for academic activities.
Banks and other financial institutions did not also open for businesses.
Despite the success of the strike, the whole town was peaceful as the residents went about their lawful businesses.
Speaking on the strike, a former speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Kola Adefemi, praised the people of the state for observing the strike, saying it was now obvious that Nigerians could rise up in unity to kick against unfavourable policy of the government.
The people, he said, have demonstrated their love for the NLC as the rallying point to oppose unfavourable policies of the government.
Addressing journalists later in the day, the state NLC chairman, Mr. Suyi Aribisala, condemned the State Security Service (SSS) for manhandling the NLC president, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, saying the NLC might seek legal redress on the issue.
He said the leaders of the congress were pleased with the success of the strike in the state, pointing out that the NLC would continue to champion the welfare of Nigerians.
Labour leaders in the state, he added, met with the state governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, last weekend where they pledged to conduct themselves in peaceful manner during the strike.
When The Guardian visited the Federal Secretariat along Igbatoro Road, workers were turned back as its gates were locked.
The workers were also seen being given pamphlets by their leaders on why they should observe the strike.
One of the pamphlets read thus: "NLC is not dead as people are speculating", "NLC is on course", "Let us join hands together and rise against oppression, join the crusade now", "N55 per litre is too much for petrol", and "Enough of obnoxious Federal Government's policies."
Some of the workers who spoke with The Guardian lamented that the increase in the petroleum products had further aggravated their hardship, arguing that instead of deregulation of the oil sector, more refineries should be built by government.
Also, the students who went to school were turned back.
The banks operating in the state were not left out as they all joined the strike while customers went home disappointed.
Commercial activities in the state went on normally as businessmen and market women were going about their businesses unmolested.`
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