The Biafra Provisional Government, a pro-Biafra group, has strongly criticized organized labor for the complete power outage in Imo State. The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, PLC (EEDC), recently attributed the blackout to a labor strike, expressing dismay that the situation was beyond its control.
NLC Criticized for the Complete Power Outage in Imo State
The blackout was enforced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in response to the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in the state. This retaliatory measure aimed to draw attention to the security concerns faced by union members, emphasizing the need for protection and accountability.
The pro-Biafra group, however, condemned the organized labor’s approach, suggesting a disconnect between the labor strike and the critical issues facing the region. In their statement, they urged both the NLC and TUC to reconsider their tactics, emphasizing the broader impact of the blackout on the residents of Imo State.
The Biafra Provisional Government stressed the importance of addressing security challenges through constructive dialogue and cooperation, advocating for a more inclusive approach that considers the welfare of the populace. They called for a reevaluation of the strategies employed by organized labor, urging them to engage in peaceful negotiations to resolve grievances rather than resorting to measures that adversely affect the general public.
As the power outage continues to impact the daily lives of Imo State residents, the Biafra Provisional Government’s critique highlights the complex interplay between sociopolitical issues and the methods employed to address them. It underscores the need for thoughtful and collaborative approaches to confront challenges, ensuring that the pursuit of justice does not inadvertently harm the very citizens these organizations aim to protect.
The pro-Biafra group, however, accused Ajaero of using the ongoing blackout in the state to gain cheap popularity and cause disaffection between the state government and the people.
The President of Biafra’s Provisional Government, Dr. Chile Nwoko, who spoke to newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, expressed shock at the punishment, suffering, and hardship the decisions of the labour unions were bringing on the hapless people of the state.
While praying for the quick recovery of Mr. Ajaero from the injuries he sustained, Nwoko accused him of bringing hardship to the people of Imo State.
His words: “What message is Mr. Ajaero passing across to the Imo masses? Is it to cause disaffection between the people and the state government while he is indirectly destroying them and their livelihood?
“We’re still wondering what Mr. Ajaero intends to gain. Cheap popularity? Bearing in mind that the hospitality industry is the backbone of the economy in Owerri, with the crushing cost of Diesel and gasoline, how will the hotels survive, and how do they pay their workers salaries?”
He lamented that by shutting down the power supply, Ndigbo were now degenerating into contributing to their own sufferings in some percentage, after years of cries of marginalization.
“This is baffling, not only to many who love the Igbo race, but their friends outside Igbo land”, Nwoko said.
This criticism of the complete power outage in Imo State comes as he reflects that every Monday, businesses were closed due to the order by IPOB, “and now comes Mr. Ajaero and his group inflicting more pains and losses to the people and the state.”
“It is really painful that people are bringing businesses and development to their states to create jobs for the youth, while Joe Ajaero is importing hardship on the state he claims he comes from. It is a shame.
“Shame on Mr. Ajaero and his Labour Congress. Let him and his Labour Union go to Lagos State where the state government is demolishing people’s properties without compensation.
“Let him call for industrial action in Lagos State which was developed by the general wealth of Nigeria because it was once the capital city of Nigeria which made people from the different axis of Nigeria settle there but are now being driven away through Xenophobia. He should take his men to Lagos and not Imo State.”
He also called on the Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who hails from Imo state not to keep silent in the face of destruction.
“While we do not in any way support brutality by state security apparatuses, we condemn in the strongest terms, the punishment, sufferings, and hardship the decisions of the labor unions are bringing on the hapless people of the state”, the group added.
You may like to read: NLC, and TUC threaten to shut down economic activities in Imo