NLC strike: Total compliance in Abia

The current industrial action embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress, on Thursday, became total as more offices closed shops.

A tour around the state showed that during day one of the strike, it was total in Aba and partial in Umuahia and Ohafia, however, taking a new dimension on Thursday as banks and private schools joined.

On arrival from Abuja on the first day of the strike, the government-recognised Chairman of the NLC in the state, Cmrd. Uchenna Obigwe has assured that the strike which is indefinite would assume full posture, the next day.

At the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, the front gates of the federal hospital was under lock and keys as doctors were seen moving around inside the hospital, providing skeletal services to patients in critical conditions.

An inside source told Daily Times that some patients in the hospital were directed to hospitals elsewhere for the continuation of their treatment, stating that even nurses joined in the strike.

Many banks, which seemed to ignore the action on the first date, forcing their customers who has the Automated Teller Machine (ATM cards), to use the facilities, while those who don’t were seen bemoaning their cashless condition.

A bank customer told Daily Times that though he has no ATM card, it is better to follow labour to “handle the issue once and for all”, encouraging labour to enforce the total and indefinite action.

Though some federal schools in the state are yet to join, other private schools in the state added to the strike as their pupils were asked to go home by their respective schools.

Roads were deserted as families take to watching films at home, especially as the public power supply had maintained skeletal services while other families that were not privileged to have the light and who can afford the scarce and expensive fuel also remained at home to shower their kids with home movies.