By Yemi Monday
The All Progressive Congress (APC) Federal Government has been indicted of continuous demonstration of not just an unwillingness to mitigate the massive hardship in the country but also a complete lack of intention to take positive steps and empathy for the multi-dimensional impoverished citizens of Nigeria.
The assertion was made by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stressing that the Federal Government has therefore not met in any substantial way, the demands of Nigerian workers and peoples as previously canvassed and mutually agreed roadmap to salvaging the economy and protecting workers and Nigerians from the monumental hardship.
Bauchi State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Dauda Shuaibu, who read the communique issued by the NLC at the NUJ Press Centre, Bauchi stated that the grace period given by the two Labour Centres NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) having expired without the Federal Government doing anything positive.
According to him, the Trade Unions continue to face severe threat from the State via the brutal and suppressive power of the Police and Government as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) continues to be illegally occupied by the Government via the instrumentally of the Police who have cloned the leadership of NURTW.
Also, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) continues to be illegally occupied by the Lagos state government in total disregard to the Courts and the statutes.
The NLC added that the State within the life of the ultimatum via the Police has caused loss of lives and properties with untold injuries on Nigerian workers who were on their way to go back to their Union’s national Headquarters in Abuja.
Furthermore, that the State has continued to blackmail and sponsor serious campaign of calumny against Trade Union leaders in the social media using its buying and coercive powers instead of making efforts to lift the burden on the masses.
He also read that the National Executive Councils (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in their various meetings, analyzed the current situation in the country, taking into cognisance the extensive hardships and deprivation afflicting the citizens across all states of the federation.
It therefore unanimously condemned the apparent conscious lethargy and tardiness in handling the consequences of its Petrol price hike on Nigerians.
The Councils deliberated on the continued refusal of the federal Government to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue within the ambits of good faith given the 21 days ultimatum and the subsequent successful 2-Day nationwide warning strike of the 5th and 6th of September and other meetings that were supposed to demonstrate the preparedness of Nigerian workers to push through their decision to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike if their demands were not met.
The NLC and TUC NEC-in-session observed that whereas: there is no disagreement between Labour and Government on the existence of massive suffering, impoverishment and hunger in the country as a result of the hike in the price of Petrol which demands an urgent need for remedial action.
The Government has totally abdicated this responsibility and has shown gross unwillingness to act abandoning Nigerian people and workers to excruciating poverty and affliction.
The federal government has continued to grandstand and forestall all avenues to peaceful dialogue with organized labour on ways to save Nigerians from the huge hunger and suffering experienced across the nation as a result of the unconscionable hike in the price of Petrol (PMS) by the Government.
Consequently, the NLC and TUC NEC-in-Session resolved to, in the spirit of the Independence Day celebration and to demonstrate their resolve for a truly independent Nigeria to take their destinies in their own hands and rescue the nation.
To embark on an indefinite and total shutdown of the nation beginning on zero hours Tuesday, the 3rd day of October, 2023 directing all workers in Nigeria to withdraw their services from their respective workplaces commencing from the 3rd of October.
Direct all affiliates and state councils to immediately start mobilizing accordingly for action to organize street protests and rallies until Government responds positively to the demands.
The NLC and TUC enjoined all patriotic Nigerians to join hands across the nation to assist this government put the people back at the centre of its policies and programmes.