Lagos workers shun march-past over Ambode’s absence in Lagos

The absence of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to address affiliate trade unions, prevented the workers from conducting the annual march-past at this year’s May Day celebration in Lagos at the Onikan Stadium.
The trade unions are under the two central labour unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
The workers converged on the Onikan Stadium to mark the event, but had to cancel the march-past because the governor was not present.
However, the governor, who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Mrs Olabowale Ademola, said that every society must remember and appreciate its workers, as its real heroes.
Ambode said that the Workers Day was about remembering and celebrating those who gave their time, best efforts and worked hard for the good of the society.
“All over the world, the worker is recognised as the most important factor of production. As a government, we appreciate workers and make bold to declare that they are the makers of history.
“Everyday, we say Lagos is working, but I am here to tell you that Lagos is working because the workers are doing the right things at the right time,’’ the governor said.
Meanwhile, at the National Stadium where other workers converged, labour leaders also spoke on the issues that would improve the country.
Mr Joe Ajaero, a labour leader, called on the Federal Government to build domestic industrial capacity, to stimulate private sector investments.
According to Ajaero, if government invests in the establishment of medium and large scale industries in the economy, the nation will develop.
He commended the Federal Government’s efforts to stem the activities of the Boko Haram sect.
The labour leader who spoke on a message titled, “Inclusive socio-economic space for sustainable development’’, said that various efforts by government must work to improve the lives of the people.
He said that if past governments had invested in creating more jobs, unemployed people would not see the opportunity to become terrorists.
On power, Ajaero, who is also the General Secretary of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), urged the government to revisit the Privatisation of the Power sector.
He said that it was wrong for the people to continue to pay for darkness, in the guise of estimated bills.
The unionist urged the government to continue to pursue its objective of returning the local refineries to full capacity, and investing in new ones.
“If the government can sort out the supply bottlenecks that have made product availability difficult in the country, the problem of queues at filling stations will stop,’’ he added.