NLC protesters take over streets of Kebbi, Kano, Zamfara, others
Story from Haruna USMAN, Birnin Kebbi
The Nigeria Labour Congress have staged protests in Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano and other states of the nation to lament severe economic hardship and hunger in the country.
The Kebbi State chapter of the union held a peaceful protest in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The protest’s procession began at Haliru Abdu stadium led by officials of the union and other labour affiliates, the protesters, holding placard with different inscription, marched to the office of the deputy governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Tafida.
Addressing the gathering at the deputy governor’s office, the state chairman of NLC represented by his vice, Comrade Aliyu Abubakar Udu, listed demands of the union which include immediate release of grains to Nigerians as pledged by President Bola Tinubu, implementation of thirty thousand minimum wage, additional grains to the workers by the state government, minimum wage for local government workers and primary school teachers and implementation of workers promotions.
The unionist added that the situation has gone out of hand as Nigerians can no longer feed themselves, therefore government must act fast to avoid the breakdown of law and order, “We are also calling on the state government to immediately release the withheld salaries of some local government and LGEAs staff held six months ago, we will no longer tolerate victimisation of workers in the state and elsewhere,” they said.
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Responding on behalf of the state government, the deputy governor, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Tafida, pledged to look into the demands outlined, saying the state governor is one of them before he became the governor, therefore the expectations are high, and all the demands would be met.
However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were absent as none of their official including the state chairman, Alhaji Atiku Alkali, were seen during the NLC rally in Kebbi State.
In Kano State, members of the labour unions came out in their numbers to express displeasure with the current economic hardship in the country.
The protesters kicked against the hasty removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government without adequate measures in place. They urged the federal government to do the needful by taking fast measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
The protest, which began on Tuesday, is expected to continue on Wednesday.
Similarly, in Zamfara State, workers were seen on the streets to participate in the nationwide protest against economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.
The protesters marched to the office of the State’s Head of Service, Barrister Ahmed Liman.
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Addressing the protesters at Liman’s office, the chairman of the state chapter of the NLC, Sani Haliru, said the protest was not only for the workers but for the entire people of the country.
“The alarming rate of hunger and starvation, suffering has become so worrisome and unbearable that the labour forces have no option than to go on protest,” Haliru said.
He stated that a series of meetings have been held between the labour and the federal government, but the meetings could not produce any beneficial result.
He also commended the state government for clearing the backlog of three months’ salaries of workers and pensioners even though he inherited such liabilities from the past administration in the state.
Meanwhile, Liman lauded the labour for protesting peacefully across the state while assuring them that he would convey their message to the state governor, Dauda Lawal, for appropriate action.
The NLC is protesting the government’s alleged failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on October 2, 2023, as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The decision, however, followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement measures against current hardship being faced by the masses.
