Nationwide Strike Plunges Nigeria into Darkness
- Katsina City News
- 03 Jun, 2024
- 537
Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar, Katsina Times
The ongoing strike has significantly impacted Nigeria, with some officials seemingly attempting to provoke public sentiment.
On the first day, the strike proved highly effective.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced that trade union members had forced the closure of electricity production and distribution stations nationwide, plunging the entire country into darkness. This action, according to a statement from the agency's Benin office, led to confrontations resulting in injuries.
In Abuja, labour union members locked the airport, preventing passengers from boarding or disembarking.
The strike also affected all government ministries, from state to federal offices.
President Bayo Onanuga, in an attempt to sway public opinion, condemned the labour union's actions as merciless and illegal. He warned that hospitals would suffer, leaving patients without medical care. Onanuga further accused the labour union members of acting like politicians opposed to President Tinubu's government, suggesting that this was the motive behind their actions.
Critics argue that Onanuga has shown little concern for citizens' welfare until now, as the public calls for assistance grow louder.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information announced that the government has invited the trade union members to renegotiate and seek a solution. However, the minister emphasised that while the government is open to dialogue, it cannot meet the union's financial demands.