Traders, transporters boycott NLC warning strike in C’ River
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Traders, transporters and other service providers in the informal sector of the state’s economy have boycotted the two-day warning strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The two-day sit-at-home directive scheduled for Tuesday, Sept 5 and Wednesday, Sept. 6 was decided by the National Executive Council, (NEC) of the union on Thursday, Aug. 31.
The union had said that the warning strike was necessary due to the pains Nigerians were going through following the removal of fuel subsidy.
However checks by our correspondent in Calabar shows that some traders, transporters, and others in the informal sector did not observe the strike action.
Major markets within the Metropolis like the Marian Market, Etim Edem Park, Whatt Market were all opened for business.
Besides this, major transporters plying intra and inter city routes were all offering services to members of the public despite the strike action.
One of the traders, Iquo Ndon said they are not observing the strike.
She disclosed that she is not sure how her participation in the strike will improve the lives of the common man in the street.
She maintained that the Nigerian economy is designed for the elites and any time they are fighting, the common man bears the brunt.
An intra city bus driver in the state disclosed that they are not part of the strike and so they are offering their service as usual.
He added that their union is not that organised besides being largely private owners and so it will be difficult to pull them out for a strike.
However, Offices in Calabar, Cross River’s capital were on Tuesday all under lock and keys following the two-day warning strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC)
Major government offices like the Federal Secretariat Calabar, Old and New Secretariat as well as banks within the capital city observed the strike action.
Reacting to the matter, Comrade Lawrence Achuta, Vice Chairman of NLC in Cross River said the directive was for workers to stay at home on Tuesday and Wednesday and the workers complied.
Achuta added that they also sent out a taskforce team that went round the state to ensure strict compliance with the directive from the national body.
