The ongoing industrial action by workers in Imo State has recorded first casualty with the sack of the state Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Chief Ford Ozumba.
The workers in Imo State under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had on Thursday declared indefinite strike following the alleged militarisation and brutalisation of Congress Members during the election of the NLC allegedly by some agents of the state government.
The strike action entered the third day on Saturday with the workers accusing the state commissioner for information, Declan Emelumba of fueling the crisis, while the commissioner for Labour, Ozumba, was making moves to resolve the matter and ensure industrial peace..
However, following the non-resolution of the crisis, the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma on Saturday approved the immediate removal of Ozumba from office as commissioner.
In a terse statement on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba said, “Accordingly, His Excellency further directs that Chief Ozumba hands over to the Permanent Secretary of his Ministry with immediate effect.”
Recall that Owerri and it’s environs had been thrown into darkness since Tuesday following the NLC-state government crisis.
More to follow….