Courts, schools under lock as NLC strike hits Abia

The nationwide indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) to protest the manhandling of its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has crippled activities in various courts and schools in Umuahia, Abia State capital.

The industrial action, which kicked off on Tuesday, 14th November, is to be enforced in all affiliate unions of the NLC in Abia, according to a press release signed by its Chairman, Comrade Pascal Nweke.

When newsmen visited the Abia State High Court complex at Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia, the High Court and Magistrate Courts inside the main buildings were under lock and key.

Lawyers, litigants and judiciary staff were seen loitering outside the main gate.

Teachers in Primary school (1) School Road Primary School, Ibeku High School among other government schools also joined the strike.

Pupils of City Primary School at the school road were seen playing football during learning hours.

Staff of Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Umuahia also joined the strike, in solidarity with the NLC directive.

However, staff of some Abia State government establishments only observed a skeletal strikE

Our Correspondent observed some civil servants entering the offices of the Head of Service, Secretary to Abia State government and the Michael Okpara auditorium, through one side of their gates, even though some offices remained locked.

Electricity workers supplied light to Umuahia city but withdrew the light by 11:10 AM.

Also, most commercial banks in Umuahia were still rendering normal services to customers as of the time of this report, even though customers were only allowed into their premises in batches.

A bank customer who spoke to our reporter after depositing money in a new generation bank in Umuahia at Akanu Ibiam Road, praised his bank (name withheld) for opening for business, saying that he was tired of incessant NLC strikes.

He argued that several industrial actions embarked on by the organized labour had not achieved anything for the common man as according to him, they were usually called off without achieving the desired bargain for poor Nigerians.

Efforts to speak with the Chairman of NLC in Abia State, Pascal Nweke about the level of compliance in Abia was not successful, as his phone number could not be reached.