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The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry is particularly concerned by the call to arm by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) via ‘peaceful’ protests, c calling on the Organised unions to give the government more time to address the emerging sundry issues as a result of the subsidy removal.
A statement by the President of the chamber, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, noted that the Chamber was worried the ‘peaceful’ protests being as a result of the fuel subsidy removal may be taken advantage of by hoodlums and they may inadvertently invert the effort of the government to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.
“The Chamber acknowledges that peaceful protests across democratic countries are a right of the citizens, the organized labor is not excluded.
“It is, however concerned about their detrimental impacts and implications for the organized private sector and the overall economy. The Chamber notes that the protests are coming at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck, given our recent experiences as a nation and the current realities of our economy, with prices of staples, transportation and others constantly on the rise.
” While admitting that the removal of subsidy is having significant economic and social impacts on the citizenry, the Chamber is of the view that the government should be given more time to address the emerging sundry issues as a result of the subsidy removal.
While calling for calm, the Chamber urged all parties concerned to embrace dialogue as both sides have expressed valid arguments and slants on their positions.
” It is by constructive engagement that issues and concerns of this grave nature can be amicably resolved for the overall health of the economy.”
