ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – In what appears as a dramatic turn of events, representatives of the organised labour stormed out of a meeting with the Presidential Steering Committee on Subsidy Palliatives scheduled at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Led by the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, the delegation arrived at the Chief of Staff’s office but soon exited the building, expressing their dissatisfaction with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s approach.
The steering committee had previously met with the government delegation on Wednesday, agreeing to reconvene on Friday to hear from the government’s subcommittees on mass transit, compressed natural gas, and cash transfer.
The committee’s purpose was to devise intervention plans to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerian citizens.
While leaving the CoS office, the labour members accused the Federal Government of Nigeria of attempting to deceive Nigerians through these meetings.
A member of the committee who spoke anonymously, stated that the government was not adequately prepared for the meeting and used excuses to continue it despite the lack of a quorum.
The situation further escalated as the National Executive Council of the NLC endorsed the nationwide strike and mass protests proposed for 2 August.
The Federal Government of Nigeria had tried to restrain the NLC from the strike, citing a court order, but the NLC persisted in their plans.
The NEC declared their support for the reversal of anti-poor policies, including the recent hike in petrol prices, and called for the immediate inauguration of the Presidential Steering Committee to address the nation’s concerns.
They also issued a seven-day ultimatum for the government to meet their demands, vowing to embark on a nationwide action if necessary.
With tensions running high and the government’s apparent lack of seriousness in addressing the issues, Nigerians are getting ready for potential mass protests and further demonstrations of public outrage.