NLC Strike: Reconsider Your Downsize Agenda, ACF To El-Rufai

By AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has reacted to the impasse between the labour movement and Kaduna government.

It called on Governor Nasir El-Rufai to reconsider his decision to downsize the workforce.

The ACF also called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its stand as their displeasure and points against the Kaduna government have gone on record.

In a statement on Tuesday evening by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, ACF said Nigeria was already faced with so many challenges that a strike action that has crippled the strategically located state like Kaduna for days running will only make things worse for the ordinary man.

The ACF said: “For two days now the activities of the Kaduna state government have been crippled by a strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress. Hospitals, electricity/ water services, the airport, the road/rail transport and many other services in the state have been crippled.

“The National President of Nigerian Labour Congress NLC Ayuba Wabba said there is no going back on the strike untill the government follows the law in dealing with workers in the state. Labour is particularly angry with the state government over massive lay off of civil servants in the state.

“ACF advises the Kaduna state government to reconsider it’s decision particularly on downsizing the work force in the state services. We suggest that as a way out, maybe those earlier marked for lay off should be given some more time to make sure they acquire new and or additional skills.

“The Labour should also reconsider their stand. Their displeasure and point against the Kaduna state government have gone on record.

“Nigeria is already faced with so many problems that a strike action that has crippled the strategically located town of Kaduna for days running will only make things worse for the ordinary man.”

– The Nation