Strike: FCT workers chased from office, hospitals shut

Government activities have been paralysed across the six area councils of the FCT following the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress in the country.

Many workers at the secretariat of the FCT administration were also chased out of their offices.

The workers had earlier reported at their various offices but some labour leaders stormed the secretariat to force them out.

Our correspondent who was at the secretariat, reports that the FCT minister of State, who earlier reported at the office, left when the labour leaders came in.

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At the area councils, our reporters observed that all government institutions such as public schools and hospitals were deserted.

For instance, at the Abaji Area Council, academic activities at public primary and secondary schools were paralyzed, as schools remained locked without the presence of teachers.

Also, the general hospital in the area was deserted when one of our reporters visited as doctors, nurses as well as other staff of the facility stayed away from work.

It was observed that some patients who came for treatment turned back after they discovered that no medical personnel was on ground to attend to them.

The situation was the same when our reporter visited Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils where government activities where the secretariats’ gates were locked.

A staff member of Kwali Area Council, Josiah Benjamin, who spoke with our reporter, said he decided to stay away from the office as a result of the directive by the national body of the NLC.

“I didn’t go to the office because of the nationwide strike action declared by the NLC, which I believe the situation was the same across the area councils,” he said.

Similarly, government activities were also at a standstill at the Kuje Area Council as civil servants did not show up.

The secretariat offices and the main gate remained under lock and key.

Also, activities at the Kuje General Hospital were put on halt as medical personnel stayed away from the hospital, even as patients who went to seek medical attention were forced to go to private clinics in the area.

A health personnel simply identified as Ibrahim, who spoke with our reporter, also said he decided not to go to work in order to comply with the directive of the national body of the NLC that declared an infinite strike.

The secretariat of the Abuja Municipal Area Council was also shut down by labour leaders who were going around to ensure compliance.

One of our correspondents was at the secretariat as workers were being chased out of their offices. Thereafter, the main gate to the secretariat was shut.

Many workers in Bwari Area Council also stayed away from the office in compliance with the strike.