By Robert Egbe

Complainants to the Kaduna State Government Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) warning strike of May 16-19 in the state have 14 days left to submit their petitions.

The government stated this yesterday in a notice of invitation to submit memoranda.

The seven-member commission, set up by Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has a deadline of July 29 to stop accepting petitions.

All physical submissions should be made no later than 5:00 p.m. local, while electronic submissions may be made on the Commission’s electronic portal up to 23:59 hours, on July 29.

Read Also; FG inaugurates committee to end Kaduna govt, NLC dispute

Headed by Justice Ishaq Bello, the panel has 14 terms of reference, including determining the legality of the strike and any breach of the relevant laws on trade disputes and essential services.

“All submissions made via either medium up to the respective submission deadlines shall be regarded as valid.

“A third opportunity to make submissions may be granted, in established exceptional circumstances, by the Judicial Commission at its public hearings.

“Submissions made late or by email will be rejected.

“Parties making submissions will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and will be specifically invited to the Commission’s public hearings to adopt their submissions and possibly elucidate on them at the invitation of the Commission.”

The NLC embarked on the warning strike following the government’s plan to lay off civil servants as part of a cost-saving measure.

The strike virtually shut down the state until the Federal Government prevailed on both parties to sheathe their swords and sit for negotiation in Abuja.