LIVE: DIVIDED NLC DEFIES COURT, EMBARKS ON STRIKE

 

Nigerians have remained in topsy-turvy following the new development in the country’s downstream oil sector.

It will be recalled that the federal government on Wednesday, May 11, removed subsidy from sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol with immediate effect.

According to the government, a benchmark of N145 per litre, has been recommended as pump price. The announcement was made by Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum, who however promised the price will not stay for so long.

This however didn’t go down well with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), who vowed to go on strike to force the federal government to revert to the former pump price of petrol (now pegged at N145).

But just as both labour unions planned an industrial action to force the federal government to revert to the former pump price of petrol, the government filed a suit at the Industrial court to restrain the NLC and TUC from embarking on strike.

And in the early hours of Tuesday, May 18, the court read an injunction against NLC and TUC not to go on strike. The court order shows that should the NLC and TUC go ahead with the industrial action, then they are going against the law.

Just before the court order, a meeting into the night of Tuesday, May 17, between the federal government and the labour workers to reach a compromise over the proposed action, ended in a deadlock.

Although it was gathered that the federal government has agreed to set up a committee that will review the new fuel pump price as well as the minimum wage issue which the workers have been agitating over.

However, fact-check today, May 18, have showed that people have carried on with their usual daily activities despite NLC’s earlier position to embark on strike to protest the fuel hike, just as the TUC as pulled out from the industrial action. 

From Lagos to Ogun to Edo, Delta, Abuja and several parts of the country, Nigerians were seen carrying on with their normal daily activities. This however has triggered the ire of some irked Nigerians who have taken to the streets to harass motorists and passerby.

We are going to be bringing live coverage of how Nigerians are reacting to the impending strike from the labour union. We will also appreciate feedback from our readers on the situation of things in your areas.

Send updates to innojefia@hotmail .com.

11.45am’ In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, which is largely a civil service State, the strike is enforce. In Bayelsa, workers are owed for about four months. Labour Union leaders have locked the State secretariat in Yenagoa while the Union leaders are going round offices in Yenagoa.  

11.43am’ In Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, the gates of the federal secreteriat are wide open. Workers are going about normal duties. The federal secretariat houses federal government workers like Customs, Immigration, NAFDAC.

Petrol stations open with petrol attendants begging customers to buy their products. Banks, markets are opened for businesses in Port Harcourt. Normal traffic jams on normal days noticed as people hurry to their offices and various places of work were noticed in state capital. The strike largely flopped in Port Harcourt as schools, businesses are in full swing.

11.30am’ In Maryland, Lagos, business activity is going smoothly. Speaking, a resident who chose to remain anonymous said: “Many Nigerians have refused to join NLC in the strike because we understand the rationale behind FG 67% increase in fuel price. Unlike in 2012, we chose not to strike because we believe in this government.”

11.12am’ There are reports that NLC and ASUU members have began protest in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. 11am’ A protest has been reported in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. Led by the Chairman of the State Labour Congress, NLC, the protesters mainly workers of the affiliated unions commenced their protest from the NLC Secretariat, Abiola way and moving through MKO Abiola stadium to Kuto roundabout and down to Kuto road and had a stop over at the State High court, Isabo.

There was a mild drama at the High court area as the protesters are forcing shops and workers to join them in the protest, which some vehemently rejected. While many people are condemning their actions, asking them to go back to their various offices, saying, they are not fighting for the masses but their pockets, some are praising them.

 Findings across the state revealed that schools in Sagamu down go Ijebu Ode to Ijebu Ilese,Ijebu Imushin,Ijebu Ife to Itele down to Ogbere and Abigi and Ibiade in Ogun Waterside are opened with most teachers around while students are seeing in two’s and there’s roaming around the street. Similar situation was gathered in Itori, Ewekoro, Papalanto, Ifo to Sango down to Iju Ota, Obere Ota, Iyana Igbesa, Owode, Oke Odan, Ajilete, Ihunbo, Ilase, Idiroko, Ibatefin, Agosasa to Ipokia down to Ifoyintedo and Tube, schools were opened and students are in their various classrooms going about their educational activities.

It was gathered from a source that leadership of the association of Private schools proprietors had issued a statement denouncing their non support to the call by the NLC. Speaking with our correspondent, some of the teachers, who pleaded anonymity disclosed that they are already at their duty posts, opined that their was no need for the strike action.

A resident, Ms Yetunde Giwa advised that staying at home is not the solution, but to look at a way to cushion the suffering of the masses, posited that, “there is no gains without pains”. An official of a new generation bank declared that we are not part of those that are calling for the strike, so why won’t we be at work. “At least,you can see for yourself that activities are going on here and other banks around here.

Oke Ilewo is the economic nerve centre of Abeokuta, you can attest to it that normal activities are going on everywhere,no cause for alarm. We are not part of the strike and will be never be”, the banker insisted. The NLC protesters are still moving round the town, carpeting the Federal government for their insensitivity about the masses.

.45am’ In Ogun state, residents and workers have been seen going about their normal businesses against the call by the NLC that industrial action should begin today. Investigation within Abeokuta metropolis showed that schools, banks and other offices are open for businesses.

Also, it can be authoritatively report that normal activities were going on at the State Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta as workers are seen at their various duty posts going about their normal businesses.

10.30am’ Despite the anti-riot police officers arrival at Fadeyi bus-stop along Ikorodu road to disperse rioters, reports reaching us have it that the NLC have began protest in the area.