Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Oladayo Jonathan
Published on 2024-02-27 17:04:28
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Akwa Ibom State has joined the nationwide protest over the increasing cost of living in the country. The national leadership of the NLC declared a two-day protest to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday to address the skyrocketing prices of commodities triggered by the removal of petrol subsidy. This decision was made in light of the many challenges Nigerians are facing, including high unemployment, forex crisis, food inflation, and the high cost of living resulting from the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu has tripled the price of fuel from the initial N189 in May 2023 to over N700 now. This dramatic increase in the cost of living has led to protests in several states across the country, prompting the NLC to declare a nationwide protest.
In Akwa Ibom, NLC members gathered at its secretariat as early as 7:30 a.m. to march to the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly complex along Udo Udoma Avenue. The chairperson of the workers’ union in the state, Sunny James, delivered a letter to the Speaker of the assembly. They then proceeded to the Government House at Wellington Bassey Way, chanting solidarity songs.
While the state government had recently provided a N10,000 palliative for three months to workers in the state, the NLC is demanding a N35,000 minimum wage. They are also calling for the provision of high-capacity CNG/electric buses for the people, as agreed upon in the agreement signed between labour and the federal government.
During the delivery of the letter to Governor Umo Eno, the state chairperson of the NLC, Mr. James, highlighted the pervasive “hunger and anger” in the state. He urged the state government to pay retirees and release 2023 promotion letters to workers. Additionally, Mr. James called for the reactivation of the fertiliser plant in Abak and improvements in the power supply in the state.
In response, the Secretary to State Government, Enobong Uwah, who represented the governor, assured the NLC that the governor would implement the workers’ demands, especially those that concern the state. To ensure the safety of protesters, the police in Akwa Ibom deployed 3,200 operatives across the state and warned “criminal elements to steer clear” of the labour protest.
In a statement, Odiko Macdon, the police spokesperson in the state, revealed that the Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, had met with the leadership of the NLC and affiliate unions in the state ahead of the protest. The police emphasized the importance of peaceful protests, in accordance with the laws of the land, while warning against any criminal elements attempting to disrupt the peace within the state.
As the protests continue, the NLC and the state government are in talks to address the grievances of the workers and find resolutions to improve the living conditions of the people in Akwa Ibom State. These protests highlight the struggles faced by many Nigerians due to the removal of the petrol subsidy and the subsequent increase in the cost of living.
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