Maiduguri, Damaturu residents comply with emergency, strike directives

[TGD]

 MARKETS, shops, schools, filling stations, hospitals and clinics remained closed in Maiduguri and Damaturu, the Borno and Yobe state capitals yesterday, as workers and market women were directed to remain in their homes following the state of emergency in 10 council areas of the states.

Major streets and roads in the two cities were empty. School children took the opportunity to play football and cycle in Gomari, Bulunkutu, London Chiki, Kumshe and Sabon Pegi wards of Maiduguri and Damaturu metropolis respectively.

Meanwhile, as at 2.00 p.m. yesterday, the monitoring teams of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Maiduguri were sighted with three vehicles each, inspecting the Monday Market, Water Board and the two general hospitals to ensure that there was full compliance with the indefinite industrial action against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Roadside petrol vendors had a battle with the police, as some of them were arrested for selling fuel at N200 a litre, while the strike is on-going.

Impressed with the compliance of workers with the strike in Borno State, the state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Titus Ali Abana said: "Our workers have fully complied. I am very much satisfied that the people are against the removal of this subsidy."



The Guardian