Commercial activities in the Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State have been shut down following the strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state.
NLC, Akwa Ibom Chapter on Monday, June 3 began an indefinite strike in compliance with the national body’s directives.
The Chairperson of the union, Sunny James, said workers in the state will ensure total enforcement until the Federal Government meets the demands of workers on the new minimum wage.
“NLC Akwa Ibom Chapter will ensure total compliance with the National directives. We will move around all offices in the state to enforce the directive.” He said.
Meanwhile, Government offices at different locations including Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, the Federal Secretariat all along Abak Road and Dakkada Secretariat, Udo Udoma Avenue when visited on Monday were under lock.
At the state secretariat, labour leaders were seen playing drums and dancing with a stationed operation quick response vehicle and security operatives on standby.
Public institutions, banks and other government facilities operating outside the secretariat have been shut in compliance with the nationwide strike by the NLC and affiliate unions.
At Udo Udoma banking layout, all the banks in the banking zone were also shut down while customers were found loitering as they could not gain access to the banking halls for transactions.
However, markets and all other commercial activities in the state were open but traders complained of low or no sales today due to the strike as Akwa Ibom is known to be a civil service state.
Reacting to the strike, the Chairman of TUC, Mr Dominic Abang said the labour unions in the state have joined the strike and it is total.
However, the leadership of the NLC in the state has exempted schools and students currently writing the West African School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, at different examination centres across the state from the strike.
In a press release signed by Alpha Marshall, State Secretary for Organised Labour, Akwa Ibom State, the union said school Principals and exam supervisors involved in the exams would not be affected by the strike.
“The nationwide Indefinite strike by NLC and TUC will NOT affect those students who are currently writing WASSCE at different Examination Centres across the State.
“In view of the aforementioned reason, the examination will go on as scheduled, therefore, school Principals, exam supervisors, parents/guardians and the general public should please take note,” he stated.