The Federal Government has appealed to the Kaduna State Government and the organized labour to put an end to the ongoing industrial action that has crippled economic activities in the state.
Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige made the appeal on Tuesday in a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Charles Akpan.
TheFact Nigeria recalled that Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)and its affiliated unions had embarked on a 5-day warning strike in Kaduna state following the sacking of workers by the state government.
The strike has entered day two with no end in sight .
Already, electricity workers are threatening to withdraw power supply nationwide in solidarity with the striking workers in Kaduna.
However, Ngige, has appealed to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Wabba as well as President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Quadri Olaleye to return to dialogue to end the strike.
According to the statement: “We are not unaware of what is going on in Kaduna State. It is a labour issue, which has snowballed into a national strike and picketing by the two labour centres and affiliate unions.
“We hope and also pray the Kaduna state Governor not to escalate matters to such a level where it becomes uncontrollable. We also appeal to the leaders of the labour centres to step down action to make way for discussion.
“My ministry is wading into the matter and therefore calls on the two warring parties to give peace a chance.”
“Importantly, I appeal to workers in critical sectors not to tamper with electrical or water installations so as not to bring more sufferings to the people of Kaduna and the nation at large.
“This is because we have it on good authority, following a complaints by the Minster of Power that workers have threatened to trigger a nation-wide blackout by interfering or switching off the national grid.”
