The gates into the National Assembly Complex in Abuja have been closed by parliamentary who workers who have joined the ongoing induatrial action by labour unions thus preventing staff and visitorsto the National Assembly from gaining access to the premises.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress announced a nationwide indeed strike starting Tuesday despite a court order restraining the unions from doing so.
Osun Defender reported that the unions last week issues a nationwide strike notice over an assault on Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, on November 1 2023, in Imo State.
As at the time our correspondent visited the National Assembly complex, all the gates into the complex were under lock and key.
Many workers were seen stranded at the entrance of the National Assembly, however, our correspondent reports that despite the lockdown, plenary is still ongoing in the House of Representatives at the time of this report.
Speaking to our correspondent, an Executive of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, who declined to speak on the record, said the PASAN was “complying with the directive of the Labour unions to shut everything down”, adding that only a few staff who arrived early at the complex were able to enter the complex.
A visitor, Abubakar, said they arrived at the NASS Complex to attend the swearing of Honorable Yahaya Kusada but were prevented from entering the Complex by members of the labour union.
“We got here as early as 8 am but the NLC members had already shut the gate. They said nobody could enter as the strike began yesterday. We came for the swearing-in of Rt. Honorable Abubakar Yahaya Kusada from Katsina. But we were not allowed to go in”.
A stranded banker, Mrs Ameh, who works in a bank within the complex, told our correspondent that she didn’t think the strike was necessary as it put a strain on some essential workers.
