#SubsidyProtests: Let the poor breathe – Labour tells FG

The Organized Labour in Abia State has carried out the long publicized peaceful protest in consonance with the Directive of the National bodies of different labour unions that members in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory embark on peaceful rallies in their various state councils to protest the outrageous hike in the price of pump price without concomitant increase in workers’ salaries.

The protest which was largely peaceful saw the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, the Trade Union Congress TUC, and their affiliates including the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria MHWUN, National Union of Road Transport Workers’ NURTW amongst others converge at Okpara Square Umuahia to commence the rally before moving to the Government House to register their grievance to the Governor of the state Dr. Alex Otti.

Wielding placards with different inscriptions portraying the mood of the workers, the protesting workers were seen receiving coordination from Ifeanyi Nwaji Chairman NAAT Abia State, who also doubles as the South East PRO NAAT and Member NLC Abia State Administrative Council(SAC) who called on the current All Progressives Congress led administration to “let the poor breathe”

Speaking to the Governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff Caleb Ajaba, the Chairman of NLC Abia state, Comrade Nweke Pascal said the protest was as a result of what he described as anti-peoples policies by the Bola Tinubu’s administration as he called for the issues raised to be promptly and adequately addressed to forestall further industrial action.
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Also speaking, his TUC counterpart Ihiechi Eneogwe noted that every Nigerian was adversely affected by the worsening condition of things in the country.

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Responding, the Chief of Staff to the Governor noted that peaceful protest was within the rights of the workers as he maintained that the problems currently faced in the country was self-inflicted.

He assured that the governor in his magnanimity will contribute his quota to assisting the workers in their current plight even if it was a Federal government issue.
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