‘We Are Fighting Against A Tyrant’-NLC Says As It Begins Strike In Kaduna State

The Nigerian Labour Congress has insisted that there is no going back on its campaign against alleged anti-labour practices of the Kaduna State Government.

The President of the Congress, Ayuba Wabba, addressing its members in the state on Monday, said that there is ‘no retreat, no surrender’ as the five-day strike for both public and private organisations in the state, commenced today.

“There is No retreat and no surrender for us. If he is a reasonable person, he should have known that this issue is one that affects the lives of citizens.

“The railway is closed, airport is closed, yet we have somebody that is a tyrant and said he is fighting back.

“This is to tell us that the situation in Nigeria cannot change, the situation in Kaduna cannot change except we are able to take our destinies in our own hand and that is why we are here,” he said.

“We are aware of the COVID-19 restrictions and that is why we have tried to make sure that the guidelines are respected.

“All over the world, even in the midst of COVID-19 when the fundamental human rights of citizens are violated, citizens are allowed to protest.

The industrial action by the Congress is aimed at condemning the decision of the State Government to layoff thousands of civil servants.

The strike has gained momentum, based on the support received from relevant institutions in the state.

For example, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, on sunday had cut off the bulk electricity supply within the state.

General Manager, Public Affairs, of TCN, Ndidi Mbah, confirming the power interruption, said that there had been intense pressure from the Union demanding that all 33kV feeders radiating from its substations within Kaduna State be switched off.

She said, “Regrettably, the Union functionaries returned today with similar demands amid palpable threats that could escalate and jeopardize national grid security.

“It was during this morning’s encounter that the System Operators were forced to shut down the 33kV feeders from 6:36Hrs this morning.”

TCN also noted that KADCO had earlier shut down its 11kV feeders, which it started de-loading from 3am on Sunday.

Also, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and Aviation workers had announced plans to shut down operation in the state in line with the NLC’s directive.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government debunked claims by the Congress that it sacked over 7,700 public workers in the state.

Featuring on Channels TV ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Monday, the State Commissioner for local government affairs, Jafaru Sani, said that in the entire local government sectors, a total of 1,648 civil servants have been disengaged.

He refuted allegations that another 11,000 workers are on the new list to be sacked in the coming weeks.

“We have started this not now but since 2018, our workers were given notice to go and upgrade their qualifications.

“The NLC was really not too sure about the number of workers that were laid-off. At some point he mentioned 4,000, he said 7,000 later. This shows that the statement he is making is devoid of any evidence.

“The leadership of the NLC we know in the past was usually thorough.

“What we did in the local governments is really in consideration of the issues on ground and our local governments are really rural based.”