‘Stop harassing ‘poor masses’ in FCT with demolition threats’ – NLC warns Wike, directs nationwide strike from Sept 5
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed affiliate members to commence on an industrial action for two days between September 5th and 6thas a warning to the Federal Government in protest over what it called the latter’s reluctance to address ‘the hardship Nigerians go through since the removal of fuel subsidy.’
This is also as the labour group warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike to desist from ‘harassing the poor masses’ of the territory with demolition threats, as it reminded the latter that he is not a ‘minister of demolition.’
The union had earlier, last August announced mobilizing its members to start the strike ‘at any moment,’ as discussions with the Federal Government groups stalled over implementation of reached agreements.
Addressing Journalists on Friday after its National Executive Council meeting (NEC), in Abuja, Friday, afternoon, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero said that the meeting agreed to “embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days until steps are taken by the Government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.
“To commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday & Wednesday the 5th & 6th of September, 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the State vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.”
On the face-off between workers and the Imo and Abia States both in Southeast Nigeria, the NLC in the Communiqué read by the President, said; “It will embark on a mass protest and rally in the two States within the month of September, 2023 in preparation for a major shutdown of the State to compel the State governments to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the State.
“To begin the shutdown of the operations of Air Peace Airline and other companies in the Aviation sector that are involved in serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector to freedom of Association and to collectively bargain and Organise.”
Ajaero called on communities around the nation to stop taking laws into their own hands but report to the authorities for amicable resolution of any matter involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) which he is one of our affiliates.
He also urged the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike to desist from threatening “poor masses” in the FCT with demolition of their properties built from their years of toil but should focus more on making houses available to the people.
“He is not a Minister of Demolition and should be prepared to meet Nigerian workers and citizens on the street if he carries out his insensitive utterances,” he said.
Before arriving at the decisions taken by the NEC, Ajaero said that “the meeting analysed the prevailing national sentiment, taking day into account the extensive hardships and deprivation afflicting our citizens across all States of the federation. The Council scrutinized the Nigerian government’s failure to establish essential structures to address the widespread suffering in our nation.
“Furthermore, it considered the government’s deliberate neglect and disregard for engaging with national stakeholders through the channels of social dialogue, a commitment it had solemnly declared during the President’s inaugural address on May 29, 2023, among others before coming out with the Communiqué.”
