Nigeria’s organised labour announces two-day break in protests

Nigeria’s organised labour announces two-day break in protests

Protesters in Lagos State

The organised labour in Nigeria on Friday announced a two-day break in the nationwide protests against fuel subsidy removal.

The Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, told reports in Lagos after meeting with labour leaders that the break would enable people to revive and continue with the protest on Monday.

“We will go on break on Saturday and Sunday to enable people to stock more foods in their homes. The strike is still being enforced,” Ajaero said.
The organised labour and civil society organisations had called a nationwide strike following the removal of subsidy and subsequent increase in the price of fuel from 65 Naira to 141 Naira. The strike started on Jan. 9.

“We want Nigerians to stockpile against next week. Lots of propaganda will be coming at this time please discountenance them. The strike is still on,’’ Ajaero said.

The Chairman, Joint Action Front, Mr Dipo Fashina, reiterated that the wish of the people was for the federal government to reverse the price of fuel to 65 Naira and appealed to the government to listen to the wishes of Nigerians.

He pointed out that labour had not change its position on its quest to ensure that government acceded to the demand and urged the people to continue with the struggle.

The President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks and Financial Institutions, Mr Sunday Salako, said that banks would operate on Saturday and advised people to use their ATM to make withdrawals even on Sunday.

Agreement to shift grounds

On Thursday, organised labour and the Nigerian government agreed to shift grounds in their respective positions to end the on-going national protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.

NLC’s president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, told reporters in Abuja after a tripartite meeting between government, labour and civil society groups that the agreement was reached after prolonged negotiations.

Emerging from the meeting, Omar said the three interest groups had useful discussions toward ending the strike and protests soon.

He said that the meeting would reconvene on Saturday.

“The outcome is that we have not concluded discussions yet, but we have had very fruitful discussions, but we have to continue on Saturday.

“Of course all of us are trying to shift ground; that is why I told you that we have had very fruitful discussions and we will continue,” he said.

NAN/Williams