By Peregba Jerry
Public schools, banks and courts in Port Harcourt and its environs are shut in compliance with the nationwide strike declared by the Organised Labour, comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
Organised Labour commenced the strike following the inability of the Federal Government to reach an agreement on a new minimum wage.
Our reporter who went around few areas of mile 1, Elekahia and Port Harcourt old Township reports that banks, courts and schools were shut.
Also, students of the Government Secondary School, Borikiri and Community Secondary School, Pabod both in Port Harcourt were asked by the school authorities to go back home, as the students were seen trekking long distances; even as they were playing on the road.
At the Rivers State Judiciary Complex, Azikiwe Road and the Customary Court Court Complex the strike was total as the gate was shut.
Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria mounted canopies in front of the judiciary complex with chairs chatting.
Speaking to our correspondent, the State Secretary of JUSUN, Rosemary. Mbata said their action complied with the union’s national directive.
Mbata stated, “This place was shut as early as 6.30 am today. It is because of the failure of the Federal Government and labour to agree on a new minimum wage.
“There will be no access until we are heard and a reasonable new minimum wage is agreed upon.
“We know every matter that comes to the court here is important and pressing but they too should understand with us that we are on strike. It’s nationwide, not just in Rivers State.
The situation was not different at Rivers State Secretariat which houses all the ministries, as the gate was locked preventing civil servants from accessing the place.
The state Chairman of the NLC, Alex Agwanwor, in an interview with newsmen, expressed happiness that compliance with the strike is total.
Agwanwor, further said a monitory team put in place by the organised labour in the state is going around, saying the Port Harcourt Refining Company and other companies are also shut.
He stated, “There is 100 per cent compliance and we are monitoring too. Our monitoring team are on the ground to ensure that workers comply.
“Both the Federal and State Secretariat are under lock and key. Workers in banks, and the oil and gas sector, like the Refinery and petrochemical Company, have no choice but to comply. It’s a national directive so the enforcementto will continue until further notice.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers state government has said it would implement whatever minimum wage the NLC and TUC agrees with the federal government.
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