Workers’ Strike: Power Outage Persists As Residents Groan In Imo

Three days to the off-cycle governorship election in Imo State, judicial workers have commenced strike even as blackout persists on Thursday following a directive by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to civil servants to down tools in the State.

Recall that the NLC/TUC had on Tuesday ordered its members and affiliates nationwide to proceed on indefinite strike from November 14, while those in Imo State to commence same action immediately following the expiration of a five-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government over the assault and brutalisation of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital allegedly by Police operatives on November 1, 2023.

However, workers at banks, Sam Mbakwe Airport, schools, and general business areas in Owerri, were seen at their duty posts at the time of this report on Thursday despite the declaration of fullscale strike by NLC/TUC.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri was operating optimally though there were fewer cars going in and out of the facility.

State government offices were also open for routine activities.

However, the power outage remained even as residents were groaning over the hike of commodity prices as a result of the prevailing situation.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) had last week Wednesday shut down power supply to Imo State at the commencement of the botched ‘Occupy Imo State’ rally organised by NLC, to protest the non-payment of salaries to some workers considered ‘ghost workers’ in the State.

Meanwhile, the Imo State government through the Information Commissioner, Hon. Declan Emelumba, denied complicity in the arrest and brutalisation, saying those linking the state government to Ajaero’s ordeal were perennial mischief makers always crying wolf where there is none.

Emelumba said the purported strike in the State had been stopped by the National Industrial Court in Owerri, which made the planned action illegal.

Further, he said that it was in compliance with the court order that the Imo State chapter of NLC announced that it was pulling out of the strike.

Ajaero, who incidentally hails from Emekuku in Owerri North local government area of the State, has had a running battle with Governor Hope Uzodimma over control of labour activities in the state.