Strike: Workers Shut Govt Offices, Banks, Schools In Bayelsa

June 03, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State workers, on Monday, joined their counterparts across the country in obeying the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the declaration of an indefinite strike over the failed minimum wage negotiations with the Federation Government.

Monitoring the exercise in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, our correspondent observed that there was total compliance as the unions shut the state and federal secretariats, banks, tertiary institutions and primary and secondary schools.

The State Chairman of the TUC, Comrade Laye Julius, who spoke via telephone, said they went round the state secretariat, agencies, and banks amongst others, confirming that there was total compliance.

“In Bayelsa, it’s a total lockdown. We have gone round to make sure no office is open,” he said.

Speaking about some private schools that opened, he said the union will investigate and if any is found disobeying the directive of the organised labour on the industrial strike, it will be closed down.

Also speaking, the State Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade John Angese, said workers complied reasonably, adding that they were at the state secretariat where they monitored the exercise and barricaded the entrances to effect total compliance.

“We also barricaded the Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to make sure nobody goes to work. Even at the federal Secretariat, we made sure people didn’t go to work. As far as I’m concerned, the compliance is good,” he said.

On the private schools in the state, he said, “We didn’t pay much attention to the private schools, especially for those who are writing their West African Examination Council exams. If we do anything to the contrary, we will only be endangering the future of our children. We have to consider the schools to that effect, otherwise we would have enforced total compliance even on the private schools.”

Talking about his expectations, Angese said until they get further directives from the national leadership and the federal government wakes up to its responsibilities they will continue with the strike.

Meanwhile, the NDDC’s free medical outreach earlier scheduled to be held at Diete-Koki Hospital received a low turnout, as there was no staff of the Commission on ground.

All efforts to speak to the organisers proved abortive, as the state office was under lock and key with placards pasted on the gate.