HAULAGE DRIVERS DOWN TOOL IN EBONYI STATE, STONE CRUSHING BUSINESSES GRIND TO A HALT.
Correspondent Ame
chi Odo who monitored the development reports that the strike also affected the supply of sachet water to dealers as well as sand supply to builders in Abakaliki.
When Radio Nigeria visited Umuoghara stone crushing sites in Ezza North Local Government Area, only the crushers were seen attending to their jobs while areas that serve as parks for truck drivers were deserted.
The strike also affected minor businesses including restaurants and vulcanizing as there were few customers seeking the services of the operators.
Speaking on the development, one of the crushers, Mr. George Uchenna lamented that the strike which commenced two days ago had crippled his business and appealed to the state government to wade into the NATO crisis.
A Stone dealer, Mr. Eric Nkemjika noted that the strike was already having negative effect on those who depend on the sites to survive especially now that Nigerians were experiencing economic hardship.
The situation was the same at Presco Junction where truck drivers sell sand to builders as no customer or driver was sighted in the area.
When contacted, the Vice President Tipper Drivers Union in the state, Mr. Edwin Onwura explained that they withdrew their services to protest alleged imposition of new leadership on NATO.
A member of the NATO Executive, Mr. Eugene Anene explained that they directed their members to embark on strike after all efforts to draw government’s attention into the crisis failed.