The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), had vowed not to retreat or surrender on the strike they began in Kaduna.
The National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba stated while addressing the gathering of various Labour unions at the Congress’ building in Kaduna.
Wabba explained that, they were aware that the first batch of the sacked workers from all the Local government councils of Kaduna was 5,000 while the second batch was 2000.
“We are also aware that in the Primary Health Care Development Agency, 1700 workers were sacked, there was exorbitant increment of tuition fees, among other uncalled actions in Ministries and Agencies in the State.
According to him, almost all the sacked workers from the various Ministries and Agencies of the State had converged at the NLC secretariats to confirm their sack.
The President assured members that the strike would be fully complied with.
“Fuel stations, hospitals, banks, railway, airport, among others has been closed because we must take our destiny with our own hands if the situation in Kaduna and Nigeria at large cannot change”, he stressed.
“We cannot accept the bitter pills, we are here in Kaduna today because the labour law in Nigeria says before you can declare redundancy, labour shall be consulted and the Governor never did”.
According to Wabba, “the Governor said he had consulted NULGE and they denied it as they are here with us now, we want to tell the World that a lot of information are false”.
He said the union has the right to protest peacefully without being intimidated or harassed, saying, the Governor should go after criminals, especially kidnappers and bandits terrorizing the state not workers who are earning their legitimate means.
Health Sector
Visits to some of the health facilities in the State show that patients have been discharged and there are no health workers in public hospitals as a result of the strike.
At the General hospital, Sabo, Yusuf Dantsoho General Hospital in Tudun Wada and Gwamna Awan General Hospital, Nasarawa, all within Kaduna metropolis, patients, including those on admission were all discharged.
Also, the male, female, accident and emergency wards of the hospitals were closed, while some personnel were spotted outside the hospital in groups discussing the situation.
Touring some Primary Health Centres in Kakuri, Nassarawa, Yelwa and Sabon Tasha reveals that, they were all closed down with no health attendant.
Some of the patients interviewed outside the hospitals appealed to government to reconsider its position as health care delivery is a multi services and should not be taken for granted.
The patients appealed to government to end the strike actions by health workers who made it difficult for patients to survive.
Education
Majority of all private nursery, primary and secondary schools within Kaduna metropolis did not open.Though there was no official statement directing school closure, many of the school owners sent students back home due to fear of crisis.
Parents expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, saying, children had just resumed and fees paid, yet they are not allowed access into school due to any crisis that could come up as a result of the protest.
“We are afraid because Kaduna is a crisis prone state, hoodlums usually use this kind of opportunities to cause troubles which ends up with crisis hence, the decision by most schools to close”.
Zaria/ Kafanchan Axis
Reports indicate that, the NLC strike has also grounded government activities in Zaria and Kafanchan Local government councils.
Just like Kaduna metropolis, schools ,banks, fuel stations, the Secretariats of Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Government areas, as well as other government offices were all locked up.
Motor parks in the city also complied with the NLC directive, but commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators were not affected by the strike.
At the Gambo Sawaba General hospital Zaria and General hospital, Kafanchan patients on admission at the facility were also discharged due to the absence of health personnel.
Residents have appealed to the State government to look into the situation and find an amicable solution to the crises.
Ime N
