Fuel hike: Labour vows to embark on protest, strike next week

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates, on Tuesday, said it would not shelve its resolve on the planned strike and protest with effect from next week, September 28, if federal government fails to reverse the hike in electricity tariff and fuel price. Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, who disclosed this to newsmen in […]

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates, on Tuesday, said it would not shelve its resolve on the planned strike and protest with effect from next week, September 28, if federal government fails to reverse the hike in electricity tariff and fuel price.

Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja after National Executive Council meeting of the union, said the proposed action by the organised labour would not take any plea from any quarters aside heeding their demands.

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According to him, the decision was unanimously taken by the chairmen of the 36 states and FCT chapters of the NLC.

Wabba was apparently replying to a pro-government group, the National Patriotic Movement which had, on Monday during its rally in Abuja, argued that removing fuel subsidy was in the interest of Nigerians.

Chief convener of the movement, Okpokwu Ogenyi, said the two policies were not against Nigerians but against those stealing from the national treasury in the name of oil subsidy and “unrealistic power projects” since 1999.

“We make bold to say that, NLC, TUC and other well-placed Nigerians should stop bullying the federal government over a genuine policy.

“Those criticizing the government over subsidy removal are not doing so in the interest of the people but for their personal benefit.

“Why should labour unions threaten strike?” he had queried.