Muhammad Garba
A non-governmental group known as Concern Citizens Projects (CCP) has accused the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union (TUC) of an attempt to destabilized Nigeria through their planned nationwide protest against the intended deregulation or removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government.
The group described the stand taken by Labour Unions as misguided, unwise, and self-defeating.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the group which was duly signed by its National Coordinator Dr Bello Musa Gwan and National Secretary Mr Sylvester Koni.
The statement challenged the leaders of NLC and TUC to rise up to their duties and stop playing to the gallery or the books of some elites who are benefitting immensely from the petroleum subsidy as against collective national interest.
“NLC and TUC need to get their acts together by putting future and survival of Nigeria first against any parochial sentiment or self-centred need”.
“The intended strike and protest will put a halt on the operations of government offices, banks, shopping centres and schools, transportation workers and will also significantly affect the informal sectors including markets and local transportation services”
“This will cause untold hardship on Nigerians and have a significant damaging effect on an already struggling economy. Paralyzing the country of more than 200 million people, majority of the citizens live on daily wage will be highly irrational” the statement revealed.
The statement added that considering the delicate security situation in the country, it will be of great concern that provocateurs and anarchists can hijack such protests and demonstrations, or hide under the cover of protestors and promote discord, anarchy and unleash mayhem to the detriment of public peace.
“We have all witnessed how criminal elements hijacked the End SARs protest, and the amount looting and burning that took place while turning into tribal violence and killings in some states. “
“Similarly, politicians and other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy can hijack the national protest to derive personal and selfish agendas”
The group then urged NLC and TUC leaders to be objective and realistic on the prolonging issues around fuel subsidy removal and also avoid putting Nigeria into a more delicate security situation.
The CCP also advised NLC/TUC to put pressure on the government to revamp the three national refineries (in Kaduna, Warri and Port-Harcourt) which can play a significant role in easing the pressure on our forex reserve thus strengthening our currency and making fuel affordable without any unnecessary subsidy
