NLC Strike Witnesses Massive Turn Out in Some States as Congress Vows to Continue Strike

Posted by Thandiubani on Thu 19th May, 2016 - tori.ng

The Nigerian Labour Congress and civil society groups have vowed to continue the ongoing strike action after witnessing massive turnout in some states.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has hailed its members and civil society who turned out massively on Wednesday to protest the increase in pump price of petroleum product as it says the hike has caused suffering and increased cost of living.

It praised members who "in spite of teething challenges" protested against an insensitive government.

"We salute their courage, patriotism and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming acts of threats and treachery," the union said.

According to reports, the strike had little effect on normal daily activities in several states on Wednesday. There were protests in Oyo, Kwara, Ebony, Lagos, Abuja, Osun, Benin and some other states in the South.

However, the union has vowed to continue the strike as it says "no reasonable struggle comes easy, and this cannot be different".

"Thus, in pursuance of the mandate given by the NEC of the Congress in conjunction with our Civil Society allies, the protest continues tomorrow," it said in a statement Wednesday evening.

"Accordingly, we urge you to mobilise your members, friends or colleagues for the continuation of the protest tomorrow.

"You are requested to assemble at Berger Roundabout tomorrow at 7 a.m.

"For those who are yet to join the strike action, we similarly urge you to muster the necessary courage to be part of this historic struggle in defence of yourself, the weak and the vulnerable.

"No level of comfort today or primordial sentiments should blind us to the cruel realities of the increase in the pump price of the petroleum products as what we are seeing is just the beginning," said the statement signed by Peter Ozo-Eson, NLC's secretary general.