By; Victor Duruamaku, Owerri.
Tougher times await the people of Imo State people following a three-day warning strike embarked upon starting today by the State workforce force as directed by the National leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) due to Governor rochas Okorocha’s refusal to rescind certain decisions.
In compliance with the directive of the National Leadership of the labour congress all primary and post primary schools in the state and some major markets in the state were shut down and students were seen stranded.
Imo State and National Leadership of the Organized Labour commenced the warning strike in protest against the concession of 19 paratatals by the state government.
The aggrieved workers who had earlier threatened to shut down the state described as obnoxious and crude, the government concession policy which led to the sack of over 3000 workers by the state government.
While public schools, government institutions including state civil servants secretariats, local government council secretariats, filling stations and popular supermarkets and fast food shops were completely deserted.
Although banks were open for normal business transactions, there was panic withdrawal of money by customers who were apparently apprehensive of the situation.
The workers had converged at the NLC Secretariat at Edede street in Owerri where they were jointly briefed by the leadership of the NLC and the TUC from where they commenced a peaceful protest march to the Government House, Owerri.
The State Chairman of the NLC, Austin Chilakpu said that the protesting workers would commence an indefinite strike if the government failed to meet their demand to rescind the controversial concession policy and to recall the sacked workers.
Also under lock and keyed as directed by the State branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) were all health institutions in the state.
It could be recalled that the Nigerian Medical Association has been in running battle with the state government over the concessioning of all health establishment in the state.
According to an official statement issued by the medical association in Owerri the state capital Tuesday, both private and public health institutions in the state should remain closed until the state government meetS their demands.
Further, the medical association directed all the medical Doctors and members of the association not to have any official dealings with the state Commissioner of Health Mrs. Ngozi Njoku.
The official statement signed by the State Chairman of the association, Doctor Hycienth Emele and the Secretary Doctor Kyrian Duruewuru stated that the association would neither recognised nor cooperate with the Commissioner throughout her tenure in office.
