Partial Compliance As Nlc Strike Hits Lagos, Abuja, Rivers

Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress embarked on a two-day warning strike in protest against the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.

The exercise commenced on Tuesday, September 5, and there was partial compliance from workers in some parts of the country. Workers in Lagos State, Rivers State, and Abuja downed their tools to protest the continued subsidy removal. In Lagos, some workers lamented the level of hardship occasioned by the effect of the subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu. It was gathered that irate union members forced the staff of Ikeja Electric out of their offices while turning some others back. However, the industrial action order did not have any effect at the Lagos State Secretariat, where workers were seen going about their regular business, Vanguard reports. Bank doors were also open for business, with customers seen entering and exiting the bank premises. Activities were also disrupted at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja as the gates into the Ministry of Education were locked for about five minutes and later opened for civil servants to resume work. Meanwhile, other blocks at the secretariat remained open, with workers going into the building for work. In Rivers State, some civil servants were seen at the Secretariat. President Bola Tinubu announced in his inaugural speech on May 29 that “fuel subsidy is gone,” leading to fuel prices more than tripling nationwide and a rising cost of living. The NLC declared the warning strike last Friday, saying it was in protest against the Federal Government’s failure to address the challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.