The Abia State workforce, on Tuesday, shut down as workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress embarked on an indefinite strike.
The indefinite strike that started at midnight Tuesday was largely obeyed by the state workers, leading to state activities being paralyzed, as most workers stayed away from their workplaces.
Offices like the School of Nursing Amachara, the Abia State House of Assembly, the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government, the Abia State Planning Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture, among others, were under lock and key with the NLC strike enforcement team present to ensure compliance.
The gates to Abia State Primary Healthcare Office and Civil Service Commission were locked, with only security staff seen inside the compounds, while the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia radio station continuously announced “We would be offering skeletal services today”.
In the Umuahia area, the enforcement team was led by NLC Chairman, Paschal Iheme Nweke, as banners and flags were placed on some government offices.
Addressing journalists at Library Avenue, directly opposite the gates of the state SSG and Head of Service, Nweke emphasised that workers would remain at home until they received a credit alert for their salaries.
“We are on strike for non-payment of salaries, pensions, leave allowances and minimum wage.
“We met with the state government and had some agreement, but they have not done anything.
“They are still receiving allocations, so they should pay us. The strike is total.
“We can’t stop this strike until we start getting our alerts,” the NLC boss said, regretting that workers in some state parastatals and agencies and pensioners were being owed huge amounts of money in arrears
The effect of the strike was felt by the Abia Government House as the scheduled recognition of news traditional rulers could not hold and at the State House of Assembly, sitting and proceedings of the day by the embattled Speaker could not hold.
Aba was not left out in the strike action as state workers also obeyed the NLC order and stayed at home.
