NLC STRICKS OVER PETROL PRICE

FOLLOWING partial compliance with its di­rective to workers to embark on strike, in pro­test against increase in the pump price of petrol from N86.50 to N145, the Nigeria Labour Con­gress (NLC), yesterday, ordered total shutdown of all economic activities nationwide.
NLC and its allies in civil society organisations made good their threat to hold a nationwide strike in protest against the fuel hike, as they converged at the NLC Lagos secre­tariat as early as 6:00am and eventually moved out around 8:00am.
NLC Vice President, Amechi Asugwuni led the strike in Lagos and said Nigerians should be prepared for a total strike as the first day was only meant for sensitisation to correct an impression by the Federal Government that the strike has failed.
Asugwuni told mem­bers that the NLC Presi­dent, Comrade Ayuba Wabba was impressed with the turnout of work­ers and other members of civil society and rights activists. “We are happy that, in spite of no food, no money, we have done more than 25-kilometer walk from Yaba to the Airport, to let our people know that the strike is real,” he said.
Asugwuni took a swipe at NUPENG for pulling out of the strike. He said whether the oil workers participated or not, the strike would go on.
“We are not going to be distracted. There was a time in the 70s, 80s, 90s and, even in 2010, when workers went on strike and NUPENG pulled out. Nigerians were strong and the strikes succeed­ed. This time, we are stronger.”
Expressing disappoint­ment on the role Edo State Governor, Com­rade Adams Oshiomhole played in the build-up to the strike, the NLC vice president advised him to resist attempts by govern­ment to divide labour.
Secretary of the Joint Forum Action (JAF), Abiodun Aremu warned Nigerians to stay at home, while business or­ganisations like banks, filling stations and other offices should be shut henceforth. “Tomorrow, any bank that wants to make free money avail­able can do so. Our members in the National Union of Road Trans­port (NURTW) will not work tomorrow, schools will be shut, already our teachers are on strike, all the government offices are not going to work and the airport will be completely shut”, he said.
Protesters who moved through Tejuosho Road to Ojuelegba recorded a large turnout and num­bers increased as the procession went through Ikorodu Road to Mary­land. The Police and Army, which had over 20 vehicles and armoured tanks stationed at Ji­bowu, the usual pathway for the protesters were disappointed as the pro­testers decided to walk over the bridge.
Contrary to expecta­tion, police, who waited for the protesters at the popular Freedom Park, in Ojota, were disap­pointed as labour had taken the Maryland route, went to the air­port to sensitise and sup­port workers, both at the local and international airports. However, pro­testers were barred from advancing at Maryland by a police team led by the Commissioner of Po­lice, Fatai Owoseni but, when the leadership told them only death could stop them from reaching the airport, the police left. A similar barricade was mounted by the RRS team at Police College, but, after intervention from a top police offi­cer, protesters continued through Ikeja while po­lice continued to moni­tor them.
Meanwhile, the Joe Ajaero faction has dis­sociated itself from the strike.
General Secretary of the faction, Chris On­yeka said the group was out of the strike until all the issues tabled before the Federal Government at the Monday’s meeting were resolved.
He said the group was already discussing with the government and have already reached some de­cisions.
According to the Gen­eral Secretary of the Ajaero led faction, the group has had a reward­ing discussion with the government on the issue of reversal of the pump price, palliative for Ni­gerians and minimum Wage.

• Why we didn’t su­port NLC/TUC

The Trade Union Con­gress (TUC), has also dis­closed why it pulled out of the strike. TUC Rivers Chairman, Chika Onueg­bu said they suspended the strike based on an agreement with the Fed­eral Government that there will be immediate setting up of a commit­tee to determine types and measures of pallia­tives within two weeks, among other palliatives.

• It’s time we close ranks/Issa Aremu

Issa Aremu, the Gen­eral Secretary of the National Union of Tex­tile Garment and Tailor­ing Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), said the recent development following the national strike means that labour must reinvent its unity, while the ongoing recon­ciliation of the NLC must be concluded.
He noted that labour unions affiliated to Ni­geria Labour Congress (NLC), should learn from the recent developments following the prohibitive increase in the price of fuel to get united for a vi­brant labour movement rather than undermining each other. “Its time we closed ranks to ensure we have a labour move­ment that commands the confidence of workers, be trusted by the public, respected by the govern­ment and employers.”

• Says Oshiomhole not a traitor

ON Oshiomhole’s role in the present strike, Are­mu said the Edo gover­nor should not be misin­terpreted as he was only trying to help organised labour resolve its prob­lem.
He said that one should not forget that Oshiomhole is in the present government and, as such, the leader­ship of the movement should understand ac­tion.
“We are the one that should get our acts right and put our house in or­der, if labour is united, we will not experience what is happening now,” he said.

• Anambra: Onitsha markets, schools, banks remain open

THE strike and protest did not yield any fruit in Onti­sha, the commercial hub of Anambra State.
Daily Sun monitored the action in Onitsha and ob­served that markets, schools and banks were open for business, while traders and workers went about their normal businesses without any harassment or molesta­tion. There was no sign of any protest or procession by any trade or labour union as well as civil liberty organ­isations in Onitsha as at the time of filling this report.
The South-East President of Amalgamated Market Traders Association (AMATAS) and Anambra Presi­dent of the association, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo said they were not involved in the strike.

• Kogi workers shun order

IN Kogi State, workers reported to work in their vari­ous offices.
Daily Sun observed that most of the offices were opened as early as 8.00am.
It was also observed that workers of Federal Govern­ment agencies/parastatals in Lokoja, the state capital, and parts of the state, also resumed work even as com­mercial banks also opened their gates to customers.
An order by the state chapter of NLC directing work­ers to assemble at the Olusegun Obasanjo square by 8.00am was also disregarded as only a handful of work­ers were at the venue for the protest march. Stern looking security men patrolled the area while the NLC state chairman, Onuh Edoka and few other executives hurriedly addressed the handful of workers present and went into hiding. Edoka urged the workers in the state to adhere strictly to the directive of the national body and appealled to the general public to sympathise with their cause.

• Fear of hoodlums in Kaduna

OFFICIALS of Kaduna State chapter of the NLC also stayed away from street procession.
State NLC Chairman, Mr. Adamu Ango, told news­men they got wind of a plan by some hoodlums to at­tack the procession in order to cause conflict between workers and the police and other security operatives which could lead to arrest of innocent people.
“Why we did not lead a procession was to avoid bloodshed as a violent group was hired to throw stones at us and in that process, cause confusion and fight so that police will fire at specific labour officials and ar­rest them. But it was only junior workers that are not on strike all senior workers are on strike. And, even though we are not on street procession, we are on strike. We will not force anybody to join the strike”. In the meantime, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yes­terday rose from its monthly meeting presided over by its Chairman, Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie and de­clared support for the fuel deregulation.

• Abia records partial compliance

THE strike recorded partial compliance in Abia State as some civil servants were seen in their offices either in defiance to the order or as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the action at the close of work on Tuesday.
At the close of work on Tuesday workers were still at a loss as to the direction of the strike as they waited eagerly to for directive. However, as late as 9:30pm, a text message from the state Chairman of the NLC Com­rade Uchenna Obi Igwe, sent by the Secretary General, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, informed workers that the strike would hold since the negotiation with the Federal Gov­ernment had failed.

• Anglican diocese backs pump price re­versal

THE Anglican Diocese of Aguata, in Aguata Local Council Area of Anambra State, yesterday, threw her weight behind the pressure being mounted on the fed­eral government to reverse the increment in petrol price. It expressed disappointment “over the untimely withdrawal of the petroleum subsidy without adequate cushioning mechanisms in a country that is the largest producer of crude oil in Africa and sixth in the world,” calling on the government to have a rethink on the policy.
The diocese, in a 13-point communiqué issued to newsmen at the end of its three-day synod themed: “The Cross of Jesus is the Message of Salvation for all People” and endorsed by its bishop, Most Reverend Christian Efobi; the diocesan Chancellor, Sir Harford Ejim, and Synod Secretary, Ven. Steve Nnadi, while supporting the anti-corruption campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari, also urged the president not to fight corruption at the expense of the welfare of Nige­rians.