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Tag: NLC

  • Normalcy returns to Kaduna as NLC calls off strike

    Normalcy returns to Kaduna as NLC calls off strike

    Normalcy has returned to Kaduna after the Nigerian Labour Union (NLC) called off its five-day warning strike to protest the sack of over 4,000 workers by the state government.

    Banks, schools, markets, and other businesses, including public offices, have been open for business.

    Also, petrol stations and cooking gas companies which were hitherto closed due to the strike have been open with long queues as motorists and residents struggle to buy the products.

    Electricity was also restored by the Transmission Companies of Nigeria and power has been restored to some parts of the state by the Kaduna Electric Distribution Company.

    However, other areas like Sabon Tasha, Unguwan Boro, Mahuta, Lagos Streets among other areas of the metropolis are still waiting for the Kaduna Electric to restore supply as at the time of filing this report.

    NLC had on Monday begun the five-day warning strike, a development that paralysed activities in the state, with governance and business owners counting huge economic losses.

    But on the third day, the President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba announced the suspension of the strike to pave way for negotiation as requested by the Federal Government.

    “We will honour the meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 11 a.m. The labour leaders in Kaduna will also be present because they have the substance of the issues in the state.

    ‘The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC would be held at the Labour House in Abuja on May 21, to review the warning action that was prosecuted in Kaduna state and determine further action.

    Residents of the state have commended the federal government for intervening to end the disagreement between the labour unions and the state government.

    One of them, Mrs Kubai Philip, who said she lost all perishable and other food items in the freezer due to power blackout, expressed joy that the strike was called off.

    “Most of us incurred huge losses but thanks to the federal government intervention, our lives have been restored.

    “Now that the strike has been called off, we pray the warring parties will reach a resolution because we will not want another strike again,” she said.

    Another resident, Mr Ishaya Ayuba, noted that dialogue was the best option in addressing labour disputes, pointing that the masses suffer the most during strike action.

    The suspension, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba was to honour the invitation of the Federal Government on Thursday to mediate in the dispute.

    Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige waded into the ongoing face-off between the Kaduna State government and labour unions by inviting both parties to a reconciliation meeting.

    The meeting scheduled to hold at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja is to be attended by Gov. Nasir El Rufai and top officials of the State as well Wabba and top NLC leaders.

  • Power yet to be restored despite NLC calling off strike – KDSG laments

    Power yet to be restored despite NLC calling off strike – KDSG laments

    The Kaduna State government has averred that power is yet to be restored in the State despite the suspension of strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Recall that the NLC which embarked on a five-day industrial action to protest the recent disengagement of civil servants by the state government, suspended the strike on Wednesday.

    The National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said the move was to honour the invitation of the Federal Government on Thursday.

    However, a statement released by El-Rufai’s spokesperson Muyiwa Adekeye, said the Kaduna State government was yet to see evidence that the NLC is backing off from its campaign of economic and social sabotage.

    Adekeye said that the electric power is yet to be restored after it was shut down on Sunday.

    According to him, “those who disrupted the power supply should promptly reverse themselves, not expect that it will be a matter for negotiation.”

    “Denying our people electricity about 18 hours to the advertised commencement of their organized sabotage was akin to putting a gun on the government’s head.

    “The Kaduna State Government is yet to see evidence that the NLC is backing off from its campaign of economic and social sabotage against the people of the State.

    “Restoring electricity is vital to relieving some of the pain that needless acts of lawlessness have inflicted on our people.

    “Those who have disrupted it should promptly reverse themselves, not expect that it will be a matter for negotiation.

    “KDSG will not participate in such a negotiation whilst our people are still being denied their right to electricity.”

  • BREAKING: El-Rufai challenges FG, threatens to boycott peace meeting

    BREAKING: El-Rufai challenges FG, threatens to boycott peace meeting

    The Kaduna state governor Nasir El-rufai said “No official of Kaduna State will go to Abuja for any meeting with FGN or NLC when the citizens of the State have no electricity”

    Governor El-rufai disclosed this through his media aide Muyiwa Adekeye shortly after the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC) suspended it’s statewide shutdown in Kaduna on Wednesday evening.

    The suspension of the strike was for the NLC to attend a nagotiation meeting the federal government fixed between the Kaduna State government and the NLC.

    But governor El-rufai is threatening not to attend the negitiation except all dysfuctional amenities are activated in the state.

    In the governor’s words;

    “We hold the FGN responsible for inability to asset its ownership rights over TCN. No electricity, no meeting. – @elrufai

    The Kaduna State Government is yet to see evidence that the NLC is backing off from its campaign of economic and social sabotage against the people of the State.

    Electric power is yet to be restored, after it was shutdown at dawn on Sunday, 16th May 2021, in brazen violation of the laws protecting essential services and infrastructure. That action removed any basis for state government officials to meet the NLC last Sunday. Denying our people electricity about 18 hours to the advertised commencement of their organised sabotage was akin to putting a gun on the government’s head. Government has a lawful duty not to indulge blackmail.

    Restoring electricity is vital to relieving some of the pain that needless acts of lawlessness have inflicted on our people. The unimpeded provision of essential services is vital to civilised order. Those who have disrupted it should promptly reverse themselves, not expect that it will be a matter for negotiation, much less being viewed as a precondition. KDSG will not participate in such a negotiation or countenance one whilst our people are still being denied their right to electricity.”

  • BREAKING: NLC suspends warning strike in Kaduna

    BREAKING: NLC suspends warning strike in Kaduna

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its five days warning strike in Kaduna State.

    Announcing the suspension, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba said the decision is to honour the invitation of the Federal Government on Thursday to mediate in the dispute between labour and the Kaduna State Government.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that earlier today, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige waded into the face-off between the Kaduna State government and labour unions by inviting both parties to a reconciliation meeting.

    The meeting scheduled to hold at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja is to be attended by the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai and top officials of the State; s well as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba and top NLC leaders.

    Ngige had directed the two parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the resolution of the issues in contention.

    “I am therefore constrained in the exercise of my powers as the Minister of Labour and Employment, under the Trade Disputes Act, CAP. T8, Laws of Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004; to invite you and your top officials to the emergency trade dispute conciliation meeting,” he said.

    Ngige’s intervention comes three days after the NLC started a protest following the disengagement of over seven thousand civil servants at the state and local governments by the Kaduna State government.

    The strike has paralysed critical sectors of the economy in the state and the state governor Nasir El-Rufai in reaction declared the NLC Chairman and other leaders wanted for economic sabotage and attacks on public infrastructure in Kaduna State under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

    Details shortly…

  • APC Governors urge Gov. El-Rufai to return to negotiation table with NLC

    APC Governors urge Gov. El-Rufai to return to negotiation table with NLC

    The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has urged Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State to return to negotiation table with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to prevent the ongoing strike from crippling the state’s economy.

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi state and Chairman of the forum said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    “The PGF has been following unfolding development between NLC and Kaduna state government over the issue of rightsising local government employees with deep concerns.

    “Noting all the challenges facing all our states, especially given dwindling revenue, we appeal to all patriotic Nigerians, including the NLC, to demonstrate more commitment toward engaging governments at all levels to address problems.

    “This is not the time for muscle flexing,” Bagudu said, saying that Nigerians were already overstretched with many challenges.

    “At this critical point of our democratic journey, there could not be limits to engagement between all governments and citizens.”

    He said that every step must be taken to resolve the face up between the state government and NLC.

    “We appeal to NLC leadership to recognise that the burden of leadership is more about responding to challenges based on the honest disposition of correcting past mistakes.

    “As progressive governors, we share the vision of Kaduna state government of reforming all our local government councils to make them more efficient and consequently the pivot of critical development initiatives.

    “At the same time, we want to appeal to the state government under the leadership of our colleague, Malam Nasir El-Rufai to take all necessary steps to ensure the resolution of all disagreements in the larger interest of citizens in Kaduna state,” he said.

    Bagudu expressed confidence that both the state government and NLC would resolve all outstanding issues and restore industrial harmony in the state.

  • BREAKING: Police apprehends thugs at NLC’s day 2 protest in Kaduna

    BREAKING: Police apprehends thugs at NLC’s day 2 protest in Kaduna

    ….. NLC Chairman Ayuba Waba addresses crowd at Ali Akilu road near Gov. El-rufai’s Residence

    Despite threats by governor Nasiru El-rufai to arrest the national chairman of the Nigerian Labour congress (NLC) and his excos, ongoing five days strike in Kaduna enters day two on Tuesday with more protesters joining in the campaign.

    Thenewsguru.com TNG gathered that the protesters thronged the Kaduna city centre chanting solidarity songs alongside the NLC Chairman Comrade Ayuba Waba and his co-excos of the NLC whom governor Nasir El-rufai Alleged are hiding. the Ayuba waba led protesters where seen marching along Ali Akilu road which is just about 6 kilometres from the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House (Kaduna Government House)

    Two thugs were reportedly apprehended with dangerous weapons. An eye witness, comrade Joshua Christopher told thenewsguru.ng, TNG that among the tug was a 14-year old boy who have since been handed over to the police. “A teenager of about 14 claimed he was paid paltry #500 to come and disrupt us. Thank God for the bravery of Labour members and a few securities who provided maximum protection to peaceful protesters. The end of tyranny in Kaduna is here” He said.

  • ASUU joins NLC warning strike in Kaduna State

    ASUU joins NLC warning strike in Kaduna State

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University Chapter, has directed its members to join the ongoing warning strike by public sector workers in Kaduna State.

    The ASUU Chairperson, Dr Peter Adamu gave the directive in a circular to the members of the union, issued in Kaduna on Monday.

    Adamu said: “I am directed by the National Secretariat of our great union through the Zonal office Kano, for members to join the warning strike.

    “Members should remember that ASUU is an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the principal officers of ASUU were part of the NLC National Executive Council that took the decision on the strike action.

    “Also, members that violate the strike action must note that the union will not be there for them when the wrath of the governor falls on them.

    “We must unite for a just cause because injury to one is injury to all.”

    NLC National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said at the five-day strike action that it would run its full course unless the state government attended to the workers grievances.

    Some of the grievances included the recent sack of 7,000 local government workers and refusal of the state government to settle the entitlements of about 50, 000 it disengaged from service from 2017 to date.

    Government activities in the state were completely paralised on the first day of the strike on Monday, with banks, schools, hospitals, water, electricity, rail and air services shut.

  • JUST IN: El-Rufai declares NLC President, others wanted for allege economic sabotage

    JUST IN: El-Rufai declares NLC President, others wanted for allege economic sabotage

    Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-rufai has accused the national leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress of economic sabotage and attacks on public infrastructure.

    This according to the governor is an offence that contravenes the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Kaduna state.

    In Tweet on Tuesday on his private verified twitter handle @elrufai, Governor El-rufai also announced that a handsome reward awaits anyone with useful information leading to the arrest of the national chairman of the NLC and his colleagues.

    “KADUNA UPDATE: Ayuba Wabba & others of @NLCHeadquarters
    declared wanted for economic sabotage & attacks on public infrastructure under Miscellaneous Offences Act. Anyone that knows where he is hiding should send a message to @MOJKaduna. KDSG. There will be a handsome reward!” Governor El-rufai tweeted.

    The NLC and it sub-bodies have since Monday shutdown economic activaties in the state following plans by governor El-rufai to sack four thousand (4000) civil servants in the state.

     

     

    Details soon….

  • El-Rufai reacts to NLC’s ‘illegal’ shutdown of economic activities in Kaduna

    El-Rufai reacts to NLC’s ‘illegal’ shutdown of economic activities in Kaduna

    The Governor Nasir El-Rufai led Kaduna Government has reacted to shut down of activities in the state by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday, describing the actions as illegal and unlawful trespass on government facilities.

    It however said labour’s desperate actions would only reinforce government’s resolve and commitment to using all the resources it can generate to serve the interests of the majority of its citizens.

    The government, in a statement by Governor El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, noted the conditions that compelled its decision to right-size its work force have not been altered by the NLC’s campaign of economic and social sabotage.

    The statement stated: “Government’s resolve is only reinforced by the desperate actions undertaken by the NLC to unlawful trespass on government facilities, and prevent officers from signing attendance registers.”

    It added: “Despite these actions, the state government has guaranteed access to the State Secretariat and other government offices.’’

    “The government intends to continue running its operations in service to the people, despite the futile efforts of the NLC to impede it. Accordingly, all officers from GL 14 upwards are expected at their duty posts as usual.”

    The government noted NLC has also shut healthcare access for several citizens, in addition to shutting down electricity, including several hospitals and chased away the patients.

    ‘’General hospitals in Kawo, Tudun-Wada, Kafanchan, Giwa, Rigasa, Kakuri and Sabon Tasha were illegally locked.

    “They also shut rural hospitals and primary health centre in Kwoi, Turunku and other locations across the state,’’ it lamented.

    ‘’The government shares the pain of the people of Kaduna State amidst the avalanche of unlawful conduct by the NLC and appeals to all residents to remain peaceful and vigilant,’’ Adekeye said.

    The statement however warned‘’ government is documenting all these violations of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Trade Union Act.’’

    The Special Adviser said government welcomed ‘’the visit by the leaders of the Trade Union Congress who met with our Head of Service, Bariatu Y. Mohammed, this morning.

    ‘’Hajiya Bariatu has reported on the constructive attitude of the TUC delegation led by Barrister Musa Lawal, its Secretary-General.”

  • ASUU joins NLC warning strike in Kaduna State

    ASUU joins NLC warning strike in Kaduna State

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University Chapter, has directed its members to join the ongoing warning strike by public sector workers in Kaduna State.

    The ASUU Chairperson, Dr Peter Adamu gave the directive in a circular to the members of the union, issued in Kaduna on Monday.

    Adamu said: “I am directed by the National Secretariat of our great union through the Zonal office Kano, for members to join the warning strike.

    “Members should remember that ASUU is an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the principal officers of ASUU were part of the NLC National Executive Council that took the decision on the strike action.

    “Also, members that violate the strike action must note that the union will not be there for them when the wrath of the governor falls on them.

    “We must unite for a just cause because injury to one is injury to all.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NLC National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said at the five-day strike action that it would run its full course unless the state government attended to the workers grievances.

    Some of the grievances included the recent sack of 7,000 local government workers and refusal of the state government to settle the entitlements of about 50, 000 it disengaged from service from 2017 to date.

    Government activities in the state were completely paralised on the first day of the strike on Monday, with banks, schools, hospitals, water, electricity, rail and air services shut.