The ongoing strike action in Imo State declared by the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr Joe Ajaero, has attracted mixed reactions from the people of the State.
The traders under the auspices of Imo State Amalgamated Market and Traders Association (ISOMATA), stormed Government House, Friday, where they opposed the strike action.
The protesting traders in their hundreds, who carried placards condemned the ongoing industrial action in the State.
Spokesman of the traders, Emmanuel Ezeanuchie, vowed to drag Ajaero and the NLC to court if the strike persists.
“Our members are struggling to survive from the harsh effects of the cashless policy and somebody who stays in Abuja would dictate to us what will happen in Imo State” he said.
Imo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Placid Njoku, who received the protesting traders on behalf of the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said the State government is sensitive to the plight of the people of the State.
He expressed surprise that “somebody (Ajaero) like him would come to his State and cause confusion. If he thinks there is no government in Imo State, he will find out” he stated.
Meanwhile, residents of Owerri have called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute between the state government and organized Labour.
They called on Labour to consider the pains of the citizens who are suffering from the harsh economy in the country, as evidenced in cashless policy and fuel scarcity in the State.
Miss Agnes Igwe, a trader at Relief Market, Owerri said the NLC President, Mr. Ajaero went extra mile by ordering electricity supply to be cut off in the State because of Labour’s rift with the State government.
“This is unacceptable.Mr. Ajaero is only adding to the sufferings of Imolites. He can tell workers in the State to go on strike and not to cut off electricity across the State.
“My business is suffering because of power outage in the past 72 hours. I have increase the litres of feul I buy daily. A litre sells for N300 in Owerri” she said.
A man, who simply identified himself as Austin, told this newspaper that the ongoing strike by workers in the State is needless.
“This is not what we need now in the State after being traumatized by unknown gunmen, cashless policy, feul scarcity and now power outage.
‘This is to punish the common man in the State and Labour should not be seen to be increasing the suffering of Imo people. They should restore power immediately because it is affecting businesses” he said.