The organised labour has said that the ongoing strike and protests against the fuel subsidy removal are not intended to chase President Goodluck Jonathan away from power.
The Acting General-Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, and the Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. John Kolawole, in a statement on Sunday, stressed that the objective of the strike and protests was a reversal of the pump price of petrol.
They emphasised that labour had an implicit belief in democracy and urged those desiring a change in the political leadership of the country to do so through a democratic process.
The statement reads, “The labour movement once again reiterates that the strike, rallies and streets protests must be peaceful and that the objective is the reversal of petrol (PMS) price to its pre-January 1, 2012 level.
“We are therefore not campaigning for ‘Regime Change’. The labour movement is wedded to democracy, therefore, anybody or group that wants a change in the political leadership of the country at whatever level, should do so through the ballot box.
“The labour movement and its civil society allies are also saddened by the unprecedented loss of lives and injuries sustained during the indefinite strike, rallies and street protests that commenced from Monday, January 9, 2012.
“We reiterate that those who visit violence on protesters and their masters who gave such evil orders will individually be brought to justice.
“We in the labour movement have done our duty to our country; we have made tremendous sacrifices including loss of lives; we have carried out the mandate of the Nigerian people; we can do no more.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, the indefinite strike, rallies and protests continue nationwide from Monday 16th January, 2012.”
The workers’ unions explained that talks between labour and the Federal Government ended in a stalemate because both parties failed to agree on “the methodology” to be used in finding a solution.
“Labour’s analysis of the situation is that tension is very high in the land following the fuel price increase, the resultant strike, rallies, street protests and the human casualties that have followed. And that a suspension of the new petrol price will reduce tension and return the country to normalcy.
“We decided to make a plea to President Goodluck Jonathan in the overriding interest of the country to suspend the PMS (petrol) price increase and direct that talks between government and labour be concluded on the petroleum industry, especially at it affects fuel subsidy and pricing within a short time frame.
“We made a pledge that once the price increase suspension is announced, Labour and its allies will immediately suspend the strike, rallies and street protests,” the statement said.
The two unions added that labour had pledged to call off the strike and other actions as soon as the price was reversed but that the offer was rejected.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has vowed to deal with those taking advantage of the protests against the fuel subsidy removal to foment trouble.
The Minister of Defence, Bello Mohammed, said this while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, shortly after a ceremony to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Mohammed alleged that there were people who had plans to cause mayhem under the guise of protesting the fuel subsidy removal.
He said, “The strike action is being negotiated with labour. Only labour is leading a strike because of its grouse with the government.
“Those hoodlums who are trying to hijack the strike and turn it into a riot will be properly dealt with because that is not the intention of labour.”
Mohammed’s statement came on the heels of a directive from labour to all protesters to resume the street demonstrations, rallies and indefinite strike on Monday.
No comments:
Post a Comment