The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Thursday in Abuja that it is open for dialogue with the Federal Government over the nationwide indefinite strike caused by the hike in fuel pump price.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said this on the second day of the ongoing strike in demand for government to revert the petrol price from N145 to the old price of N86.50.
“I am not sure that we have received any further invitation from the Federal Government to return to the table for negotiation; but if they do, were are very much open for dialogue.
“The purpose of calling for this action is actually to make a point and offer leadership to the masses who are faced with hardship.
“ The protest is to make the issue clear, that this is a policy that Nigerians, particularly the working class, cannot be able to go with, looking at the high cost of goods and services.
“That is why NLC must be seen to be consistent in standing by the truth and by the people and ensuring social justice.
“This means that we will continue to resist the N145 fuel pump price which has been imposed on us; because this is a further expansion of the hardship in the country.”
He said that the protest would continue for two weeks, adding that by the middle of next week, the NLC leadership would review its position and know how best to move forward.
The NLC President said that the congress would also have an opportunity next week to study again government’s point of view.
On his part, Mr Peters Adeyemi, the NLC Deputy President, said that the protest was intended to fight for the people who cannot engage the government.
He urged the government to listen to the cries of the people by reverting to the old price or reducing the increase in fuel pump price.
“This government came to power and promised not to impose hardship on the people and we believe very strongly that this message will get to government.
“Let government have a listening ear and partner with labour and do a reversal, ”he said.
Also speaking, Jaye Gaskia, the Coordinating Director at “ThinkAct Consults”, an NGO, urged the government to have a rethink on policies that are not beneficial to the citizens.
“We are not against this present administration but we are against policies that bring hardship to the citizens.
“Policies that always increase the burden on the Nigeria people, we are indeed against them,” Gaskia said.
