From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
The organised labour comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has joined the national body to commence the nationwide protest on the removal of oil subsidies.
The members trooped out in their large numbers as early as 7 am to converge at Ganaja junction, Lokoja and are currently marching through some major streets of the state capital.
The protesting workers with various placards lamented the high cost of living as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies and called on the federal government to reverse all its anti-people policies that caused hardship for Nigerians.
The state State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Gabriel Amari who read the letter and handed it over to the state governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said the recent removal of fuel subsidy without commensurate palliatives for the masses has caused untold hardship for the masses.
According to him, the federal and state government should expedite action in ameliorating the pain and suffering of Nigerians before it gets out of hand, stressing that the recent increase in fuel pump prices has affected other sectors of the economy.
Comrade Amari said the peaceful protest was sequel to the directive by the National Secretariat of the Organised Labour to express the displeasure of the Union on behalf of Nigerians to the Federal Government.
He listed other demands of the Union to include the immediate implementation of the resolution reached and signed between the government and committee set up by the labour, immediate reversal of the increase in fuel pump price and fees at unity schools across the nation and urgent revive the nation’s local refineries as well as payment of outstanding eight-month salary Arrears of University lectures among others.
In his remark after receiving the letter, the state governor, represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, appealed for patience, assuring that measures are being put in place to address the matter, noting that government feels the pains of the masses occasioned by the recent development in the country.
He commended the organised Labour in Kogi State for the peaceful conduct of the protest.