Traders in Lagos computer village oblivious of nationwide strike

Traders at the Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday went about their businesses as usual in spite of the industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

A visit to the computer village by our reporter showed that the market activities were going on as usual.

It was reported that the NLC and TUC had declared a comprehensive and indefinite strike to protest hike in electricity tariff and minimum wage among others

The Chairman, Computer Village Market Board, Chief Adebowale Soyebo, in a brief interview with our reporter said activities were as usual in the market as people were carrying out their businesses.

“As it it stands today, the Computer Village is very active but we are not sure of what may happen by tomorrow,” Soyebo said.

Also, the president of Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigerian (PAPDAN), Mr Ifeanyi Akubue, said the strike was long over due.

“The NLC has dragged for too long for it to happen hence the non-compliance.

“With the present economic hardship there is no way a civil servant will survive the situation. So, the strike is long overdue.

“We have long been ready for them. Even as businessmen it has not been easy, then how much more a civil servant.

‘’We feel the pains of the civil servants and there should be a way to make available basic amenities such as transportation and education, as it is being done in other climes to cushion the challenges,” Akubue said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Softwareshop, Mr Austin Agbakor, said that activities on Monday at Computer Village were usually slow.

According to him, there is nothing exceptionally different from other days in spite the strike by NLC.

”However, if by midweek when activities are meant to pick up and there are no sales, that means the Computer Village has been affected by the strike.

“Generally, businesses have been as usual due to the economic hardships. I urge the government and NLC to arrive at a long-lasting solution that will benefit the citizens.”

A phone accessory trader, Mr John Chukwuma, said “the strike is not of benefit to me because complying to the strike will mean no sales which will affect my family income.

”For a daily income earner complying will be a challenge, such group of people should be put into consideration before an industrial action is declared.”

He, however, pleaded that NLC should find a common ground to settle the dispute rather than the strike.

Speaking to our reporter, a dealer in Laptops, Mr Korede Jinadu, said that joining the strike was not ideal as he would not benefit from the minimum wage.

“So, the best bet is to come out and make sales so as to be able to feed my family.”