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- Say strike will compound hardship faced by Nigerians
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Northern based Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have cautioned Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against planned indefinite nationwide strike action in view of the long term gains of fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu led administration.
In a recent development, NLC gave the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse all perceived anti-poor policies, including the recent hike in the pump price of petrol, or face an indefinite nationwide strike from August.
Consequently, NLC directed all affiliates to commence mobilisation of workers and civil society allies for a mass protest across Nigeria .
However, the Coalition disagreed with NLC’s decision, saying that any form of nationwide strike by the labour unions will not only compound current economic hardship faced by the masses ,but also counter productive and catalyst for impending chaos.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in a statement on Wednesday jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Muhammad Usman Ali and Comrade Markus Bulus appealed to NLC to rather call for an emergency meeting with the Federal Government to discuss and resolve areas of concerns on the issues of fuel subsidy removal.
The statement said, “We believe the Tinubu led government has demonstrated that it can listen to plights of labour unions and should his government fail to meet demands after the meeting, NLC is free to embark on planned long-lasting strike and mass protest.
“But we want to remind NLC that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is just 57 days in office as President. And with the collosal damages done to economy by previous leaders ,which are beyond imagination , he needs some time to correct them .
“On the other hand, we urge NLC to work together with the FG to ensure that monies saved from subsidy removal are monitored and judiciously used to better lots of workers and Nigerians instead threats of strike.
While defending the removal of subsidy , the Coalition asked NLC to consider that removal of subsidy has stopped smuggling of petroleum products; stopped payment of homongous amount money to fraudulent business men and made products available at filling stations .
It also said removal of subsidy will ensure private sector participation in the importation of petroleum products; ensure the ready availability of petrol at all times for all Nigerians with no diversion by marketers and curb the greed for higher profits and sabotage by a few players in the oil industry which will positively affect the
economy.
“We hope that soon the competition in the industry and market forces will drive down the price of petrol in the long run as witnessed in the telecoms sector for the benefit of Nigerians; permanently banish queues from petrol stations.” It added .
However, the Coalition Commended President Tinubu for bold steps taken so far to change course of governance in the country .
