Economic and social activities were paralyzed in Ondo State as financial institutions, civil servants and the public sector joined the ongoing strike action embarked on by organised labour over the increase of salary.
Although hospitals, commercial transporters, and private schools were on their duty posts, civil servants, banks and government institutions were under lock and key.
The officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) ensured complete compliance with the nationwide strike embarked on by the organised labour.
The Chairman of the state NLC, Victor Amoko said there has been total compliance with the strike, and that both public and private sectors are effectively shut down, in Akure, the state capital.
Amoko said “We are receiving reports about the affiliated unions, and they are doing well, even though the strike has only just begun for seven hours. We are making good progress as all schools are closed down.
“We have made a good start. If you go out there, you will find that the majority of our public and private offices are closed, and there is no work happening. Our construction chairmen are here to provide us with updates.”
The TUC chairman, Clement Fatuase, explained that the level of compliance in both public and private sectors in the state is encouraging. He also urged members to unite in the fight for the betterment of workers.
Fatuase stated that the union’s discussions with the state government, particularly regarding the exemption of WAEC and INEC officials, should not be seen as a compromise, but as a consideration of their proposed timetable to complete their tasks.
His words “The message is, let us fight this once and for all and win it once and for all. Although we met with the Ondo State government yesterday and had extensive discussions about the strike, we granted them an exemption to ensure the completion of the WAEC and INEC officials’ work.”
