Association of Tradesmen & Artisans of Nigeria, ATAN, nationwide have called on the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, to call off the nationwide strike which it said was already paralysing the economy of the nation, and affecting their own businesses.

At an emergency meeting of the executive members of ATAN and its off shoot Police Assistance Committee, PAC, held in Abuja, Sunday, the body cried out that thousands of their members nationwide, who are mainly traders and artisans, have lost millions of Naira in the last one week of the labour strike.

In a communiqué, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of ATA/PAC, Mr. Isaiah Richard, stated that the association as major stakeholders on security matters in the country cannot fold their hands to watch the country sliding economically and security wise.

The body reminded NLC and TUC that ATAN members are legitimate business people whose businesses are duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, and as such should be allowed to run their trades as they wish.

The association pointed out that the security of this country has always been a major concern to the body as they had been saddled with the responsibility over the years to assist the Police and other security agencies with vital information to fight crime in the country.

ATAN/PAC, therefore, called on NLC and TUC to shift grounds and reach a compromise with the Federal Government and bring the strike to an end immediately in the interest of the masses.