From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Organised Labour in Kogi state on Wednesday joined the Nationwide peaceful protest as directed by the national secretariat of the organised Labour.
The group lamented the high cost of living as a result of removal of fuel subsidy and called on the federal government to reverse all it’s anti-people policies that poses hardship on Nigerians.
The call was contained in a protest letter by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Comrade Joe Ajero.
Kogi State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Gabriel Amari who read the letter and handed it over to governor Yahaya Bello, said the recent removal of fuel subsidy without commensurate palliatives for the masses has caused untold hardship on the masses.
According to him, the federal and state government should expedite action in ameliorating the pain and suffering of Nigerians before it get out of hand, stressing that the recent increase in fuel pump price has affected all sectors of the economy.
Comrade Amari said the peaceful protest was sequel to the directive by the National secretariat of the Organised Labour to expresses the displeasure of the Union on behalf of Nigerians to the Federal Government.
He listed other demands of the Union to include the immediate implementation of the resolution reached and signed between Government and Committee set up by the labour which are: “Immediate reversal of the increase in fuel pump price, urgent revival of the nation’s local refineries, and fees at unity schools across the nation and payment of outstanding eight month salary Arrears of University lectures”
In his remark after receiving the letter , Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, appealed for patience, assuring that measures are being put in place to address the matter, noting that government feel the pains of the masses occasioned by recent development in the country.
He commended the organized Labour in Kogi State for the peaceful conduct of the protest which kick started from Ganaja junction and terminated at Lugard house, Lokoja.
