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    Tuesday, January 17, 2012

    Mixed reactions trail suspension of strike/protest


    The Nigerian Labour congress and the Trade Union Congress, TUC have suspended their week-long mass protest and agreed to accept N97 per litre of fuel as announced by President Goodluck Jonathan.
    The union called for a nationwide strike last Monday when the federal government announced withdrawal of subsidy for petrol which subsequently increased the pump price of fuel from N65 to N141 per litre.
    Since then government and labour leaders have been holding meeting with a view to working out a compromise.
    Earlier on Monday, President Jonathan agreed to shift ground by slashing the price to N97. He also ordered the EFCC to look into NNPC books and the disbursement of the Subsidy proceeds as part of the
    compromise.

    Nigerians have been reacting to the announcement made by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress suspending a week-long nationwide strike/ mass protests to force the federal government to revert the price of fuel to N65 per litre.
    Recall that leadership of Labour unions early on Monday, announced the suspension of the nationwide strike which practically shut down economic and commercial activities in the country, following its acceptance of N97 per litre as fixed by the federal government.
    A cross section of Nigerians who reacted to Vanguard Online news were divided on their opinions as whether the actions of Labour unions and that of the federal government were at the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
    While some were angry and disappointed at Labour for betraying their trust by accepting the N97 new pump price as against the N65, others hailed the compromised made by both the Labour and the federal government, describing Labour’s action as best in the present situation.
    Some of the aggrieved Nigerians vowed to continue with the protest/ occupy Nigeria until the price of fuel is reverted to N65.
    According to Mr Olademeji, NLC/TUC did not speak the minds of Nigerian. He said; “it’s not N65 per litre yet. We must finish our protest. let’s go back to strike until fuel comes back to N65.”
    For Mr Lucky, Labour’s acceptance of N97 rubbish the efforts of Nigerians who gave Labour unflinching support and made their struggle a fruitless one.
    In his reaction, Mr Kano condemned NLC’s action stressing that Nigerians would never trust them again. “Initially, we appreciated the efforts of NLC but later, they started disappointing us, that is why Nigerians lost faith in you and some Nigerians will never trust NLC again.”
    Meanwhile, the decision of NLC has been applauded. Adesina said; “well done NLC and TUC, federal government can now go ahead with its deregulation policy. My advice to GEJ is to ensure speedy implementation of SURE programme so as to provide jobs for the protesting youths.”
    For Mr Nagberi, since N97 has been accepted by the Labour, the Federal government should immediately commence implementation of projects and plans for the removal of subsidy. “We want to see the physical and tangible benefits.”
    Speaking in the same direction, Akahie said though, NLC/TUC have disappointed the masses by “compromised our collective resolve, it’s time for President Jonathan to redeem his battered image by fulfiling all his promises.”

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