[News] Power is yet to be restored despite NLC calling off its strike – Kaduna government

The Kaduna state government has said that power is yet to be restored in the state despite the suspension of strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The NLC which embarked on a five-day industrial to protest the recent disengagement of civil servants by the state government, suspended the strike on Wednesday to honour a meeting called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige to resolve the rift it has with the Kaduna State Government.

However in a statement released by El-Rufai’s spokesperson Muyiwa Adekeye, the Kaduna state government said it is ” yet to see evidence that the NLC is backing off from its campaign of economic and social sabotage against the people of the State.”

The statement read;

“Electric power is yet to be restored after it was shut down at dawn on Sunday, 16th May 2021, in brazen violation of the laws protecting essential services and infrastructure.

“That action removed any basis for state government officials to meet the NLC last Sunday. Denying our people electricity about 18 hours to the advertised commencement of their organised sabotage was akin to putting a gun on the government’s head. Government has a lawful duty not to indulge in blackmail.

“The Kaduna State Government is yet to see evidence that the NLC is backing off from its campaign of economic and social sabotage against the people of the State.

“Restoring electricity is vital to relieving some of the pain that needless acts of lawlessness have inflicted on our people. The unimpeded provision of essential services is vital to civilised order.

“Those who have disrupted it should promptly reverse themselves, not expect that it will be a matter for negotiation, much less being viewed as a precondition. KDSG will not participate in such a negotiation or countenance one whilst our people are still being denied their right to electricity.”