ImoWorkers in Imo State have returned to work, in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) following the suspension of the strike by the organised labour.Investigations on the strike action revealed that some of the workers who travelled out of the state in view of the strike were expected to return on Tuesday to resume work at their duty posts on Wednesday.Commercial banks and other public institutions have reopened for businesses in Owerri and envorons.In view of the foregoing, the Imo State government has directed both principals and headmasters of public schools to resume classes immediately, adding that there was no time to waste.The government further directed the petroleum product dealers in the state to comply with the Federal Government's directive to sell petrol at N97 per litre.The government said a monitoring team on petroleum products would be set up to ensure that the petroleum products dealers comply strictly with the current price of N97 per litre.Ogun Both government and commercial activities began on Tuesday, in Ogun State, following the suspension of the strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.Also, academic activities for the second term of the 2011/2012 session resumed in both public and private schools in the state.Nigerian Tribune observed that only the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on the IBB Boulevard Road, Abeokuta, was selling to motorists at N97 per litre, while many other filling stations shut their gates against prospective buyers.The popular Kuto and Panseke motor parks and other public places were centres of activities, while customers besieged commercial banks for transactions.Only few commercial cabs were seen plying the roads due to their inability to re-fuel their vehicles due to the artificial scarcity created by independent markets who refused to sell fuel.When the Nigerian Tribune visited the Federal Secretariat and Governor's Office, all in Oke-Mosan area of the state, workers were seen at their duty posts, while some were seen discussing in groups.The South-West treasurer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Surajudeen Bada, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, attributed the development to the inability of marketers to lift the product in the last six days, saying normalcy would soon return to the system.He maintained that the new price regime for petrol in the country was on the high side, noting that this created a lot of imbalance in the economy, which would ultimately lead to inflation.AbujaNormal activities resumed in Abuja, on Tuesday, after the nationwide strike and protests by the labour and civil society organisations over the removal of subsidy on petrol.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that banks, petrol stations, schools, business premises, as well as government and private offices opened for businesses.At Faskari Crescent, Garki Area 3, where there is a concentration of commercial banks, customers moved in and out of bank buildings, while others queued in front of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to make cash withdrawals.At about 8.45 a.m., when NAN visited Government Secondary School, Garki, the school was scanty.Mr James Ajayi, a teacher in the school, told NAN that the new term began on January 9, which coincided with the commencement of the national strike that crippled economic activities.KwaraGovernment and commercial activities began in earnest in most parts of Kwara State in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders in the state, on Monday.The state NLC chairman, Umar Farouk Akanbi, had issued a statement on Monday, directing workers to resume work on Tuesday after the national leadership of the union had suspended the six-day strike to protest the removal of fuel subsidy by the government.The labour leader had also warned that no category of workers in the state should be victimised as a result of participation in the protest. It was gathered that banks, markets and shops were opened for transactions as early as 7a.m., while taxi and okada operators were on major streets and roads for business.Meeanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, has charged people in the state, especially youths, to promote peaceful co-existence and harmony among one another, advising that they should rather promote but not change the projected harmonious image of Ilorin emirate and Kwara State.In a release signed and issued by the traditional ruler on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Ilorin, the emir, who is also the chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, said, "it is not in our character in the emirate and, indeed, in any part of Kwara State, to engage in vandalism and unwarranted destruction of our values.'The emir, who was speaking on the background of the hijack of the protest against fuel subsidy removal, occasioned by arson, looting and destruction of property, said "it is an exercise in futility for the civilians to attack civilians and destroy property in order to make a point," adding that those who are sincere with the agitation should be able to curtail the excesses of the few who are prone to destruction and unbecoming tendencies....Seeks N10bn loan to fund projectsKwara State government has expressed readiness to procure N10 billion loan to fund on-going projects in the state.Governor Abdulfath Ahmed said in a letter forwarded to the state House of Assembly, on Tuesday, that the credit facility was desirable to make the state economically viable.'In an effort to fast track the development of infrastructure in the state and the burning desire to deliver dividends of democracy, my administration is in the process of accessing N10 billion credit facility.''The governor added that the loan would be paid within 42 months and governed by conditions favourable to the current money market.He solicited the assembly's approval in order to meet the conditions set for the loan procurement by the bank.The Speaker of the House, Honourable Rasak Atunwa, who read the letter at a plenary session, directed members to prepare for the debate on Wednesday in view of the urgency attached to the loan.OyoThe Oyo State government, on Tuesday, lifted the 12-hour curfew it imposed on the state in the heat of the protests and rallies held in the state at the instance of the organised labour against the removal of petrol subsidy.A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Akin Olajide, gave the suspension of the demonstrations and the strike of the labour movement as reason.The statement, however, added that the joint military/police task force, Operation Burst, would continue to maintain peace and order.The government urged the people of the state to remain law-abiding, orderly and guard the peace that had remained the hallmark of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration jealously.
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