NLC’s Protest Paralyses Activities In Owerri …As Gov Recalls Sacked Workers

The leadership of the Ni
geria Labour Congress (NLC) Wednesday lived up to expectations of the workers of Imo state government as the congress protest paralysed activities in the state capital Owerri over the sack of 3,000 workers by the government of Rochas Okorocha.
According to The Tide’s reliable source, the NLC National leadership led by the  National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba had arrived Owerri on Tuesday evening in preparation for the work-to-rule action on Wednesday.
The Tide was informed that  as early as 5.00a.m on Wednesday the congress’ leadership had mobilized to takeover strategic areas within Owerri metropolis thereby forcing Sam Mbakwe Airport, motor parks, banks, hospitals schools and offices to be shut down.
Speaking in Owerri, the NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said that the work-to-rule action by the workers would be in force until the state governor reinstated the sacked workers and rescind the concessioning of the government hospitals to private hands.
The Tide source confirmed that the NLC’s  work-to-rule action has forced the governor to rescind the decision and reinstate the sacked workers as the government never followed the rule of engagement in disengaging the workers.
NLC said the Imo State government embarked on suspension and sack of workers through radio and other media pronouncements without due industrial relations processes or observance of subsisting labour laws.
The congress’ leadership accused the governor of using brute force to brutalise and inflict severe injuries on a number of workers especially members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) who were on peaceful protect recently in Owerri.
The union’s leader said that the workers like any  other group  of Nigerians have rights guaranteed by law.
The Tide was told that banks along Okigwe Road, Douglas Road, Wetheral Road and other offices were completely closed to customers as     NLC monitoring team moved from one area to another to enforce the work-to-rule order.
Equally closed were major motor parks such as Oroigwe Motor Park along Owerri-Onitsha Road, Mbaise Motor Park and the major park at Douglas Road.
The Tide was reliably told that thousands of commuters were stranded along the major roads in Owerri on Wednesday.
However, an official of the NLC who later spoke with The Tide on phone said that by 3p.m on Wednesday the union’s leadership were invited for a meeting at the Government House where the state governor announced the resolution of the state government to rescind its decision and reinstate the sacked workers.