PICTORIAL: Workers’ Strike Grounds Activities In Kaduna

Total compliance by civil servants in Kaduna State with the joint directive of the national leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike action over new national minimum wage for workers, has grounded activities within the State capital on Monday.

A visit to Kaduna Polytechnic saw students locked out of their campus by labour union officials in compliance with the nationwide indefinite strike order. The union officials stormed the Unguwan Rimi campus of the school and drove the students out before putting the gates under lock and key.

Some of the students, who spoke to our correspondent, however, condemned the strike action, saying they will always be at the losing end. They urged the Labour unions to return to the negotiation table because their academic calendar will be affected if the strike continues.

Similarly, Labour leaders in the state also sealed the main gate of the National Ear Care Centre after chasing out the workers and also preventing patients from getting into the facility.

At the State Secretariat in the capital city where about seven ministries are located, workers were locked outside of the building by the union leaders. The main gate leading to the secretariat was locked, stopping anyone from going in or coming out.

Also, activities in banks and other financial institutions were also disrupted as the staff were not allowed to get into their offices by the labour union officials.

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has also shut down operations at the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO).

Also, the Obasanjo House, which houses some state and federal agencies, was also put under lock and key as staff were all locked outside of the building.

However, a visit to state-owned hospitals saw patients being attended to as at the time of the visit.

The Kaduna State chairman of TUC, Abdullahi Danfulani, said all affiliate unions were complying totally with the strike action and won’t back down until the Federal Government does the needful.

Our correspondent, however, noticed that some filling stations were opened and dispensing fuel to motorists, just as commercial vehicles were seen plying different routes conveying passengers.

See Photos Below: