Institutions, Organisations Observe Partial Strike In Bauchi State
By Abubakar Baba Ahmad & Murtala Muhammad.
The Indefinite Strike embarked upon by the Organised Labour in Bauchi State has witnessed skeletal services at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi.
The industrial action is to press home two major demands of new National Minimum Wage and reversal of the segregated Electricity Tariff of ₦225 to ₦65 per kilowatt.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent Abubakar Baba Ahmad who went round the hospital reports that while the side laboratory of the NHIA clinic was under lock and key, some other units and department have continued to render skeletal services to patients.
At the Paediatry Surgical Ward, an attendant who pleaded anonymity, said they have been attending to patients, with two new patients admitted on Monday morning and three already in surgery.
A Mother who was with her sick child said she had no idea the strike action has commenced as all services being rendered to patients were ongoing, calling on both government and the labour unions to find common grounds and solve the anomaly to avoid causing unnecessary problem to those seeking medical services.
In a telephone conversation with Radio Nigeria on the position of the hospital management over the strike, the Public Relations Officer of the Teaching Hospital Usman Koli said they are currently monitoring the development with keen attention as it unfolds.
Meanwhile, Federal and State governments’ Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), filling stations, banks as well as other public places have been shut down across Bauchi metropolis with the exception of paramilitary who were seen at the Federal Secretariat on their official duty posts.
When Radio Nigeria visited Abubakar Umar Secretariat, sighted vehicles and motorcycles parked outside with members of the NLC/TUC and other affiliate unions at the gate barricading workers from getting access to the premises.
Our Correspondent Murtala Muhammad also reports that Banks, Filling stations and public schools were closed in compliance with the declaration for an indefinite industrial action by the Organized Labour.
It was however observed that Private primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions did not fully partake in the ongoing strike.
