Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Banking activities in Abia State were totally paralysed on Monday in Abia State as no bank in the state opened for business following the indefinite strike declared by the organised Labour.
Some bank customers were observed clustering at the entrance gate of one of the new generation banks on Library Avenue Umuahia, probably trying to make inquiries from the security guards.
Public schools were also on lockdown.
The ever-busy Workers’ Secretariat located at Ogurube New Layout Umuahia, was a ghost of itself as workers deserted the premises in full compliance with the strike.
When Ikengaonline visited the secretariat, the entrance gate was locked with nobody in sight for any inquiries.
A visit to the High Court premises at Ikot Ekpene Road also revealed a deserted premises.
The entrance gate was locked with an inscription “Nation-Wide Strike/NLC/TUC,” pasted on it.
At the neighbouring Ibeku High School, some students were seen leaving going back to their homes as the gate to the school premises was shut.
Security guards at the entrance gate told our Correspondent that the gate was shut because of the strike, adding that students who showed up for studies were asked to go back.
The Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, had declared an indefinite strike to press home its demand for N497,000 new minimum wage demand.
Federal Government has only offered N60,000 which was rejected by Labour.
