by Nurat Uthman
The Anambra State Police command has deployed its operatives to strategic parts of the state to thwart any attempt by the organized labour to enforce the strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
This came as the organized labour in the state vowed to monitor all affiliates unions and offices to ensure full compliance.
A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the command stands with the federal government which has declared the strike as illegal, adding that the police would stop at nothing to thwart its enforcement, including any attempt by unscrupulous elements to hijack the enforcement and cause breach of peace in the state.
The police statement read, “The federal government has declared the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress as illegal and premature.
“The Anambra State Police command reiterates the command’s commitment to enforce the legal recommendations and calls for caution to prevent a breach of public safety and peace.
“Police operatives have been deployed to different strategic areas, and tasked with the responsibility against any miscreants using the opportunity to cause any breach of public safety and peace in the state.
“The command understands the right of organized labour to engage in such actions to advocate for the interests of all workers, but noted the importance of adherence to the existing laws governing such activities.
“To this end, the command encourages the good people of the state to go about their lawful businesses and be law-abiding, vigilant, and security-conscious.”
It called on residents of the state to use their helplines to report any security-related incident for prompt response.
But a counter statement by the labour insisted that all offices, both private and public, should be under lock and key.
The statement signed by the state chairman of NLC, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, the state chairman of TUC, Comrade Chris Ogbonna and their secretaries read, “Following the national directive of NLC and TUC on the indefinite strike arising from failure of the federal government to meet the demands of organized labour on reasonable national minimum wage;
“…reduction on high electricity tariff on the masses, amongst others, we are mandated to direct all affiliate unions chairmen and secretaries to ensure that all their members are mobilized adequately to embark on indefinite strike from Sunday Midnight.
“The organized labour, Anambra State Council, (NLC and TUC), will monitor all affiliates unions and offices to ensure full compliance.
“All offices, both private and public, should be under lock and key. Again, banks should remain closed, including offices and educational institutions in Anambra State.”
