The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ogun State Chapter, has joined their counterparts across the country to protest the prevailing hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and attendant skyrocketing prices of goods, particularly food among others.
The leadership of the NLC disclosed that the two-day rally slated for today and tomorrow is to compel both the federal and state governments to tackle the problem of insecurity, hunger and the continued rise in poverty across the country.
Speaking with the journalists before the workers embarked on the protest rally, the Chairman of Ogun State NLC, Comrade Hammed Ademola-Benco, said that the rally was hinged on getting good deals for Nigerians and never the intention to confront the government.
Ademola-Benco said, “This protest rally is about getting good deals for the people of the country. The truth is that people are suffering, many Nigerians are hungry, and the prices of food have reached the rooftop.
“The wage award that they promised is still not being paid by many states, the government must stop carrying on as if all is well. We are only calling on the government to be responsible and attend to our demands which are about making lives more rewarding and enjoyable for the people.”
The chairman said the leadership of the 40 affiliates of the union in Ogun State are on the ground to participate in the peaceful rally
The National Vice President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Yinka Folarin, said it was unfortunate that a government that promised renewed hope for Nigerians has just further dashed the hope of the common man in the country.
Folarin said, “For instance, insecurity is one of the contributing factors to scarcity of food and the exorbitant prices, this government has not demonstrated enough commitment to serve Nigerians. Things must change because Nigerians did not file out last year in February to vote for hardship and the way things are in the country.”
The security agencies such as the police, DSS and operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are on ground to maintain law and order.
More details later…