3rd June, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
The nationwide strike action declared by the organised Labour has crippled economic activities in Edo State.
The strike action was declared following failure by the federal government to reach agreement with the labour unions over the minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Gates to all banks in Benin city, the state capital, Federal establishments, Departments and Agencies were under lock and key in compliance with the directive of the NLC and TUC.
Workers of Edo State civil service who were recently paid the new minimum wage of N70,000 introduced by the state government also joined the strike action, as the State secretariat along Sapele Road where all the state ministries and Departments were located, was deserted.
The Federal Secretariat building located at Aduwawa was taken over by operatives of the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
All public primary and secondary schools in the state capital were also closed.
Air travellers were also stranded as gates to the Benin Airport were shut.
Members of the statement by the Academy Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin and the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, also joined the strike.
Chairman of ASUU, UNIBEN chapter, Mr Ray Chikogu, in a statement directing its members to join the strike, said: “We have now received official directive from our National Secretariat to join the NLC indefinite nationwide strike over the failure of the federal government to conclude the upward review of the National Minimum Wage and reverse the hike in electricity tarrifs.
“We consequently direct all comrades at ASUU UNIBEN Branch to comply fully with immediate effect.
“While the strike lasts, there shall be no teaching, supervision, conduct of any examination, attendance of board or senate meetings.”
Also, the Chairman, Ambrose Alli University (AAU) ASUU chairman, Mr Cyril Onogbosele, confirmed that the strike was total, adding that all academic activities had been grounded in the institution.
Skeletal services were observed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), as workers said they were waiting for further directives from their various Unions in the Hospital.
At the Edo State Children Hospital, few workers were also seen rendering skeletal services to the few patients in the hospital.
Commenting on the action, the Chairman, Edo State chapter of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Asemota, noted that the organized labour has many demands that have not been met.
He addad that the strike action was as a result of the inability of the federal government to met the N495,000 minimum wage and the hike in electricity tarif.
According to Asemota, “the union arrived at N495,000 due to the high cost of commodity prices and hardship in the country, but, the federal government was insisting on N60,000.
“The union is obeying national directive in the state despite the fact that Edo state governor is implementing the N70,000 minimum wage for its workers.
“We are in solidarity with the Edo state government but this is a national directive from the national and we have to comply.”