Abia workforce Tuesday, completely obeyed the indefinite strike under Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
The resumed indefinite strike that started at 12am Tuesday saw the state workers staying away from their workplaces, leading to state activities being paralyzed.
All offices, including School of Nursing Amachara, the Abia State House of Assembly, Ministry of Finance, Office of the Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government, Abia State Planning Commission and Ministry of Agriculture, among others were under lock and key with the NLC strike enforcement team present to ensure compliance.
Others include Abia State Primary Healthcare Office and Civil Service Commission, the gates to the buildings were locked, with only security staff seen inside the compound, the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, BCA radio that continuously announced “We would be offering skeletal services today”.
The Umuahia North LGA headquarters, and Abia workers secretariat were locked, while in Aba and environs, state workers also obeyed the NLC order and stayed at homes.
In 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 emphasized 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 Abia Government House as the scheduled recognition of news traditional rulers could not hold and at the State House nof Assembly, sitting and proceedings of the day by the embattled Speaker could not hold.
