The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Wednesday received members of the state’s council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the union staged its protest to drive home its demands. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesting union members, who had earlier converged on Ikeja under-bridge, marched to the Lagos State Governor’s office to present a letter containing their demands, which Hamzat received.
The workers are unhappy with the hard times being faced in the country in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy and want the government to make things better for the populace. Hamzat, receiving their letter, commended the protesters for being peaceful.
“The leadership of the union had said we should dialogue; we will dialogue and then you will hear from us very soon.
“The reality is, we will meet very soon, we will read the letter, and then you will hear from your leadership.
“ I want to thank you because this is a peaceful protest. Like we said, in a democracy, it is fundamental; I want to thank you and may God bless you,” he said.
Leading the protest in Lagos was the Deputy President, NLC, Mr Adewale Adeyanju, who represented the President, Mr Joe Ajaero.
Adeyanju said that the rally was meant to show the whole world that the leadership of the congress was formidable, united in one voice, and there were no cracks within the rank and file of Congress.
“That is why you can see the turnout of the masses, the affiliates of various unions, coming out to support this protest.
“The leadership of the union and government are having a very serious meeting on this matter and we are hoping something better is going to come out of the meeting today.
“The protest is going to last, depending on the outcome from the presidency, as he is yet to have a team; ministers are yet to be given portfolios.
“So, whatever the outcome, we will be here today and see how everything is going to be better, “ he said.
In her remarks, the state Chairman, NLC, Mrs Funmi Sessi, said that the hope of the workers and Nigerians in general was for government to pay attention to the pains of the people.
Sessi said, “As we have generalised demands, so also we have local demands; we also want to bring our demands as Lagos State workers.
“Lagos state is a fast rising city in Africa and so, the lives of workers should also depict city people.
“Aside from the increase in the minimum wage that our national bodies are asking from the government, we are asking for subsidy palliatives because it has become imperative that the government of the state should come to our aid quickly.
“The salaries can no longer take care of our needs; we know that the state government is trying, however, we want the government to give us subsidy palliative of N30,000 each for at least, the next six months, so that we can use it to cushion the effect of the transportation, “ she said.
Also, the state Secretary, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Mr Abiodun Aladetan, said that the union decided to join the protest because it was more sensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
Aladetan said: ”As you can see, the turnout was very impressive which clearly shows that Nigerians have decided to come together to take the bull by the horn to tell the political class that enough is enough.
“The time has come for everybody to make sacrifice; we want to see the cost of governance reduce by 60 per cent, so that Nigerians will understand that we are all into this together.
“However, the reverse has been the case and so, on the basis of that, it tends to breed mistrust between the leaders and the governed; so, if there is no trust, this protest is what you get.”
NAN reports that there was a massive turnout of union members for the protest, as they had mobilised earlier in the morning, carrying placards with inscriptions such as, “Reduce the Cost of Governance Now!”; “Save the Masses from Poverty and Hunger!”, among others, and chanted the solidarity songs.
Meanwhile, places like Badagry and Epe areas of the state were quiet, with activities going on as usual and no sign of protests.(NAN)
