Protesters Increase As Fuel Subsidy Removal Protest Enters Fourth Day
The ongoing strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to protest the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government was bolstered Wednesday by large crowds in some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The protesters marched through the popular Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way and converged on Area 1, Garki Junction. Buoyed by the mammoth crowd, some of the key figures of the struggle warned the Federal Government to heed the voice of reason and reverse its decision on fuel subsidy.
Speaking at the venue, the Country Director; ActionAid in Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, echoed the message that they would not give up until the government reverts to the status quo.
However, both human and vehicular traffic also increased in most parts of the city at Zuba, Kubwa, Gwarimpa, Mabushi, Jabi and Berger areas.
In Kano, two top Kano politicians, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa and the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, joined a mammoth crowd at the historic Groundnut Pyramid venue of yesterday’s rally to protest in the state.
The Federal Government Secretariat along Katsina Road remained locked, while other government establishments complied with labour’s appeal for them to stay away from duty.
But in a spirited move to shore up support for President Goodluck Jonathan, a non-government organisation, Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), organised a rally at the Samson Siasia Sport Complex Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and marched to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The IYC asked labour leaders in the state to prevail on the national leadership of the NLC and TUC to negotiate with the Federal Government on palliatives and stop the wanton destruction of lives and properties in the country.
While Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa equally accused those he called “overzealous elements” for cajoling underage children in Kaduna metropolis to hijack the protest against the removal of fuel subsidy. In a broadcast to the citizens of the state, Yakowa said it was unfortunate that the good intentions of the labour unions regarding the removal of fuel subsidy were taken over by those with a hidden agenda.
In Oyo State, the anger against the removal of fuel subsidy in Ibadan has deepened with the take-over of several flash points in the mass rally by miscreants. The organised labour and civil rights groups however continued their march on Ibadan streets with a rally at Idi-Odo Challenge, where speakers after another urged the people of the state to be united in their opposition to the subsidy removal.
But Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has advised youths to eschew violence while expressing their grievances against the removal of fuel subsidy. He said: “If you burn tyres on the road, the road will be destroyed and government will have to use your money to repair them again.”
His Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, insisted that the people of the state would strengthen their doggedness and entrepreneurship to survive the pains of the hike in fuel price occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal. He said this while addressing commercial transport operators, bus and taxi drivers at the Hero’s Square, New Owerri Wednesday.
The development in Delta State was different as hoodlums infiltrated the procession of protesters by running ahead of the procession to harass unsuspecting passersby and dispossessing some people of their GSM handsets and other valuables. At least four of the hoodlums were arrested by security personnel on patrol along the Warri-Effurn-Sapele Road after they were caught by the mob and were about to be lynched.
Although, government and many private offices, schools as well as numerous business outlets remained under lock and key, human and vehicular traffic had generally increased steadily in Warri and adjoining areas like Effurun, Udu, Sapele and Okpe.
Protesters in some locations in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State resorted to extorting money from members of the public. But the protest attracted more participation of the people than the previous days, just as more barricades were erected and more bonfires made as the protesters trooped out in large numbers.
In Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole vowed to deal with politicians and criminals who hide under the guise of the removal of fuel subsidy to foment trouble in the state. Oshiomhole issued the threat when he addressed the Arewa community at Aduwawa, Eyean and Esigie in Benin-City Wednesday.
Reacting to the violent protests and attacks on some innocent people in the state capital, Governor Oshiomhole said: “You don’t have to be afraid. We are ready to deal with any criminal. Anybody who is planning to foment trouble will be dealt with squarely, because politicians have hijacked this protest. They want to create problems.”
Reports from Enugu State indicate that members of organised labour and civil society organisations who attempted to protest clashed with the police at the entrance of the state secretariat of the NLC.
In Abia State, organised labour was thrown into disarray following an attempt by the state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sylvanus Eye, to call off the planned rally against the removal of fuel subsidy. He managed to escape being lynched by irate workers who accused him of selling out to government.
Eye had on Tuesday after a series of meetings with leaders of trade unions and market unions in the state announced that the rally would hold on the third day of the national strike but when the workers assembled at the Urban Primary School along School Road Umuahia the labour leader changed tune.
A number of patients at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), Port Harcourt, owned by the Rivers State Government, were discharged from the hospital just as the Emergency, Casualty and Labour wards of the hospital were shut. It was gathered that the entrance to the hospital was locked as the state chapter of the TUC and the NLC directed all their affiliates in the state to continue to enforce the strike and monitor compliance.
Protesters in Kwara State have vowed to press on with their action until the Federal Government reverts to the N65 per litre.
And workers in Sokoto State remained at home Wednesday, despite the threat by the Federal Government to implement its 'no work, no pay' policy on its workforce. Checks in the Sokoto metropolis revealed that virtually all public and private offices were closed.
However, the protest in Lokoja, Kogi State turned violent as protesters clashed with the police, leaving a boy and a police officer badly injured. Trouble started when tribal sentiment was introduced with some of the protesters alleging that Igbo traders were beginning to open and operate their shops at the detriment of the indigenes that kept on with the protest.
Comments
Post a Comment
Be sociable, share your opinion!
Post a Comment :)