By Asma’u Halilu, Kaduna On Aug 2, 2023
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress, TUC is asking the Nigerian Government to revive the refineries that have gone comatose in the country.
The NLC Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter, Suleiman Ayuba stated this during the protest in Kaduna.
He mentioned that, Nigerians are not interested in any palliative that the government was willing to give out but workable measures that can curb the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy posed on its citizens.
According to Ayuba, Nigeria government is not specific on when to alleviate the plights of the citizens, but has instead continued to give obvious challenges in the country without possible solution.
He says, “We want our refineries revived so we can refine our own crude oil, hence our call that they should be given priority.”
Speaking on the students loan proposed by the Nigerian Government which the union outrightly rejected, the labour union also condemned the hike in public school fees, stressing that free education is their right and therefore it should be reversed.
He however disclosed that the protest was just a one day national exercise to call the Nigerian Government to order, so they can know that NLC and TUC are still very much around.
He called on members to stay at alert for further instructions from the national headquarters.
Ayuba further stated that, the union was opened to dialogue for upper review of the N200,000 minimum wage to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on their members.
Corroborating the NLC position, the State Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Abdullahi Alhassan Danfulani and the National President of the National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Comrade John Adaji called on President Tinubu to consider the suffering of masses and alleviate their plights in his policies.
The protest started from the NLC Secretariat, along Race Course road, a stone throw from the Police headquarters state command, around the township stadium through the Independence way to the Constitution road and terminated at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) where the protesters were addressed.
The NLC Chairman presented a formal letter with their demands to the Special Adviser on labour matters to the State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, Comrade Adamu Samaila for onward presentation to President Tinubu.
It was observed that business and office activities, including human and vehicular movements in the state was normal.
Confidence Okwuchi
