Schools, Gov’t Offices Shut In Nasarawa As Indefinite Strike Commences

Public schools and government offices were on Monday shut in Nasarawa State following the indefinite strike called by the national secretariats of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Our correspondent who went round the town reports that some students of the Government College, Lafia, the state’s capital who reported early for academic activities were turned back at the gate by security guards who informed to return home as the school has closed for strike.

Similarly, both the Government Secondary School Shabu situated on the outskirt of Lafia, and LGA Primary School were also deserted when our correspondent visted the school.

The gate of the primary school was shut without security guard or staff on the ground, while all the offices in the secondary school remained shut.

Also, the gate to the Hon Justice Sidi Bage Federal Secretariat Complex located on Jos Road Lafia, where most of the federal parastals and agencies are located was also shut.

Two water trucks belonging to the Federal Fire Service were packed at the car park section of the secretariat without any security guards.

LEADERSHIP also observed that some state government’s offices located opposite the federal Secretariat complex were also under lock and keys.

The offices include those of ministries of land, health, education and agriculture.

The Nasarawa State Geographic Information Service which shared the same space with the affected ministries was also not spared by workers as it was also closed down.
A few metres away from the location were the State Internal Revenue Service and Urban Development Board, both of which were also closed.

Like the federal secretariat, the gate of the Mustapha Agwai II Polytechnic owned by the state government was opened but the offices and classrooms were however empty.

Also shut was the main gate of the Federal University of Lafia although its students have since been on break after the first semester examination. The school is expected to resume for academic activities this Monday.

Prior to declaring the strike, the institution has been opened ahead of the resumption of academic activities with the admistrative block and some other offices fully functional.

The NLC Chairman in the state, Comrade Ayuba Okoh and his TUC counterpart, Mohammed Doma had on Sunday urged workers to comply with the directive of the national secretariat by staying away from offices as from Monday until contrary directive is issued.

As at the time of filling this report, the NLC leaders and those of the affliate bodies are in a meeting at the Labour House located on Makurdi Road, Lafia over the development.