Prepare for Long Strike, Says NUPENG

allAfrica.com

The leadership of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) has expressed its readiness to lead Nigerians on a prolonged strike to protest the current hardships imposed on them by the recent increased in prices of petroleum products and other unpopular policies of the Obasanjo administration.

Giving this indication in Lagos yesterday, Deputy National President of the NLC, Comrade Joseph Akinlaja, said the congress was ready to provide responsible leadership for the Nigerian masses to express their feelings on the different policies of this administration.

Akinlaja, who is also the General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), disclosed that labour is currently mobilising market men and women, students, religious organisations, okada operators and other civil society groups to support its quest to make the government accountable to the people.

NLC President, Adams Oshiomhole, had while issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the government on Wednesday to withdraw the N1.50k petroleum tax and reduce the price of petrol to N34 a litre, stated that Labour was ready to provide the leadership for the people to protest obnoxious policies of the government.

Comrade Akinlaja said the issue at stake was not just the recent N1.50 fuel tax imposed on the people by the government, but other unpopular government policies which caused hardships in the land.

"What we are protesting is beyond N1.50k fuel tax. The issue is, what should be the price of petrol that will make it available all the time. This is the time for Nigerians to express their feelings. If they are happy with the various government policies, they should say so, if they are not, they should demonstrate this," the NLC deputy president stated.

As part of the mobilisation of the people for the impending mass protest, the NLC and civil society organisations have scheduled a mass meeting for today to discuss the state of the nation.

Speakers expected at the meeting include Chief Gani Fawehinmi, National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chairman of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, Adams Oshiomhole and other leaders of mass organisations in the country.