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Residents in Imo State have continued to cope with the unbearable pains and challenges over the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC imposed strike which reached 14th day on Wednesday.
Recall on November 1 2023, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC began an indefinite strike with a total blackout in the State, after the Union’s president, Joe Ajaero was assaulted by police and thugs in Owerri.
Due to lingered blackout in the State, residents scuffle to get water, this is as price of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) skyrockets to N700 per liter.
The continued strike crippled businesses, hotels, markets, and the entire economic activities in the state.
On the 8 November, the face off between the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Imo State Government under the leadership of governor Hope Uzodinma took a new dimension after the trade unions in the aviation sector directed the withdrawal of all flights to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Imo State.
As a result, there have been no flights going out or landing at the airport. The airport road from Aba road through Umuowa to Umuohiagu which used to be very busy is now a shadow of itself.
Complying to the nationwide strike which began on Monday as a result of the feud between the NLC and Imo government, public schools closed down on Tuesday morning and asked students to go home.
Our correspondent observed that some tertiary institutions in the state also joined the strike in line with the directive by the Academic Staff Union of University, (ASUU).
Our correspondent gathered that the Federal Secretariat in Imo was under lock and key.
On Wednesday morning, some commercial banks and filling stations were completely shut down as buyers could not have access to the fuel product.
*We have arrested Ajaero’s attackers, says NSA*
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday apologised to the organised labour over the attack on President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State capital, on November 1.
In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, Ribadu urged the movement to rescind its decisions on the ongoing strike , adding that attackers of Ajaero have been arrested and investigations had commenced.
Ribadu said the federal government regrets the incident that happened in Imo and condemns it in its entirety, noting that it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Tinubu and his administration.
The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organised Labour led by the NLC and TUC.
“The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.
“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joseph Ajero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
“The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
“The Federal Government will never condone such an act.
“As a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances sorrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits. Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.
“The Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, therefore, appeals to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted.”
