Olusola Bello
Kaduna State is in almost in a state of total paralysis following the commencement strike action declared by Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC) today.
Already, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG ) has ordered its members not to supply petroleum products to the state. is already causing a lot of disruptions to both social and economic activities in the state. Businesses have almost grounded to a halt in the last one week because of non supply of petroleum Products to the state.
With the Nigerian Electricity Employees Union (NUEE) joining the strike, by cutting off electricity supply to the state, this would only compound the already bad socio economic and security situation in the state.
Aviation workers under the aegis of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), have directed their members to shut down operations at Kaduna airport with effect from early this morning in respect of a strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against the state government
Many business concerns and organisations may not be in a position to function properly with the withdrawer of services by these critical organisations.
The management of Kaduna Electricity Company, has informed it customers about what has led to the blackout they are experiencing.
“The Management of Kaduna Electric regrets to inform its customers in Kaduna State that the service interruption currently being experienced in the state is as a result of the industrial action embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
“In compliance with the NLC directive, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN has knocked off all our 33KV lines in Kaduna State,” Abdulazdueez Abllahi, Head, Corporate Communication, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, said.
He said Kaduna Electric appealed to all communities, security agencies and vigilante groups to be vigilant so that men of underworld will not cash in on the situation to vandalise power supply installations
NUPENG had last week directed its members to shut down services in Kaduna State with effect from May 16.
.The NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale gave the directive in a letter addressed to Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of NUPENG
Olawale said compliance to the directive was necessary for the successful execution of the campaign against alleged anti-labour practices of Kaduna state governor.
It was reported that the NLC had directed workers in the state to totally withdraw services for five days with effect from May 16, 2021.
The directive was given following the sack of over 4,000 workers in the state.
Kaduna State NLC Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman had said that the decision was taken during an emergency meeting in Kaduna with a delegation from the NLC national headquarters.
The union had accused the state government of ignoring due process in the recent disengagement of over 4,000 workers from local governments, state basic education board and Primary Health Care Agency.
In two separate letters jointly signed by the union’s leaders, namely Ocheme Aba, General Secretary, NUATE; Abdulrasak Saidu, Secretary General, ANAP and Ofonime Umoh, Deputy General Secretary, NAAPE, the workers pledged to comply with the directive of NLC to down tools in the state between May 16 and 21, 2021.
The union leaders added that workers at the airport had been directed to withdraw all services within the stipulated period.
“In effect, there will be no operations of any kind into, at or out of the airport within the period.
“This information is provided to enable your management take steps to safeguard valuable property within the airport vicinity during the period of the industrial action.
“This action shall be fully carried out unless otherwise directed by the NLC. And all workers are enjoined to fully comply as no form of sabotage shall be tolerated,” the unions said
Other unions, including railway workers, local government employees and university workers will not resume to their duty posts on Monday.