The first day of the nationwide strike action called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the lingering national minimum wage issue recorded partial success in parts of the country.
The warning strike commenced midnight on Wednesday over the federal government’s failure to reconvene the tripartite committee constituted November last year to recommend a new national minimum wage for workers in the country.
On Wednesday, a last ditch effort by the federal government to avert the strike ended in a stalemate.
NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, told reporters the strike action would be total across the country.
But, PREMIUM TIMES correspondents’ reports showed the strike recorded partial success in some places, and total compliance in others.
The entrances to the ministries of finance, foreign affairs and environment were also closed. Only labour enforcement teams were seen moving from office to office to enforce complete compliance.
Some school children in the Federal Capital Territory, who went to school, were turned back home as their teachers also joined the strike.
Most filling stations in the capital city and environs were still open for business throughout the day, apparently with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) assuring uninterrupted supply throughout the duration of the warning strike.
Kubwa, Gwagwalada and Airport express road witnessed the usual heavy traffic.
Lagos
In Lagos, the usual busy Lagos State secretariat, Alausa, was completely shut down at 9.05 a.m., as police officers were seen at the gate to maintain security.
Also, a few banks, such as First Bank of Nigeria, United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, First City Monument Bank and Zenith were not open for business.
Ogun
In Ogun State, socio-economic activities in the state capital, Abeokuta, and the local government secretariats were shut down in compliance with the labour directive for workers to withdraw their services.
Most public schools had empty classrooms, as teachers stayed away from work.
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