Warning Strike: Federal, State Secretariats, Banks, Hospitals, Others Closed In Kaduna

In compliance with the two-day warning strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal and State Secretariats, banks and hospitals were shut in Kaduna metropolis of Kaduna State on Tuesday on the first day of the strike as the NLC enforcement officers went round to ensure strict compliance.

Our correspondent, who visited FCMB, Access, and Zenith Banks located on Kachia Road, and Murtala Muhammad Square within Kaduna metropolis, observed that banks were under lock and key as bank security guards were directing customers to use ATM points outside the banks’ premises.

Some public hospitals like General Hospital, Sabon Tasha, Primary Health Center Romi, among others, were shut down as patients moved to private hospitals to seek medical attention.

The strike has partially affected some commercial activities in Kaduna city as civil servants and other workers in some private organizations did not go to work.

At the time of this report, there was no electricity supply in some parts of Kaduna metropolis as electricity workers were said to have joined the nationwide strike

LEADERSHIP correspondent, who also visited the Kaduna State secretariat observed that very few workers were on ground as cars were seen parked outside the premises as the gate was under lock and key.

Also, at the FRCN zonal headquarters in Kaduna, the gate was locked, preventing staff from going inside the premises, while some of the staff were seen outside the premises.

A staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) who was seen outside the premises told LEADERSHIP correspondents that they were off the air.

Another staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) who pleaded anonymity also confirmed that they were the off air, adding that only the management staff were allowed inside the premises.

A visit to the headquarters of Kaduna Electric, showed the gate was also locked with keys, as only securitymen were seen at their duty post.

It was further observed that some banks such as Access Bank, UBA along Ali Akilu Road, also First Bank, and Zenith Bank along Yakubu Gowon Road, among few others, were also shut against customers.

One of the visitors to Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Aisha Yakubu, said she came from a far distance to attend to a matter at the secretariat but surprisingly, it was locked.

She expressed dismay that she spent so much on transportation to get to the secretariat but could not achieve her aim.