Breaking: NUPENG Directs Members to Comply Fully with Labour’s Nationwide Strike
By Rita Elenwo
As mobilization for the October 3 nationwide strike heightens, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has directed members, to ensure full compliance
The strike action was announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC.
Specifically, NUPENG, said the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD; Petrol Stations Workers, PSW; Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers, LPGAR, and all other allied workers in the value chain of petroleum products distribution must comply with the strike from midnight of Tuesday, October 3
Also the United Action Front of Civil Society, the organised platform of civil society groups and activists on matters of governance and democracy in Nigeria, on Thursday said it fully endorsed the indefinite nationwide strike action jointly declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.
The group in a statement issued by Olawale Okunniyi, (Veteran Che), Head, National Coordinating Centre, United Action Front of Civil Society, claimed that the the present government lacks the requisite wherewithal to fix the rots allegedly perpetrated by the immediate past government of the same party.
The statement read: “It is unfortunate that while the arbitrary fuel price hike in the name of subsidy removal on premium motor spirit (PMS) has pushed most Nigerians below poverty line, government continues to play the Ostrich in spite of the promises made to labour leaders on the need for upward review of workers wages, inclusive palliatives to citizens, among others.
“The leadership of the organized civil society therefore urges all Nigerians to rally behind NLC and TUC in protest against the insensitivity and dubious politics of the Nigerian government, which has, so far, demonstrated total lack of comprehension and sensitivity to the economic challenges facing the country.
“We wish to reiterate that the inhuman policy of arbitrary hike in fuel price has further impoverished and pauperised millions of households, who were hitherto merely coping with meager wages and incomes for their livelihoods.
“It is evident that the present government lacks the requisite wherewithal to fix the rots perpetrated by the immediate past government of the same party and may eventually end up worsening the situation. It is regrettable that rather than prioritize reduction in the costs of governance, the Tinubu administration is deliberately indulging in over-bloated appointments as typified by the appointment of the highest number of ministers and the largest cabinet yet in Nigeria history.
“It is also regrettable that the National Assembly which only recently arbitrarily allocated public funds to its members who embarked on recess has also increased the number of its standing committees, which would also translate into additional costs of governance in an economy where overwhelming majority of the masses could barely cope with the costs of living in Nigeria or afford one square meal.
“It is deceitful for the government to have delayed the review of minimum wage considering that the present N30,000 monthly can no longer support an average Nigerian worker who, under the prevailing economic situation, has more than 3 dependents in addition to the immediate family.
“We call on the NLC and the TUC to remain resolute in defending the country against all forms of anti-masses policies that have foisted unmitigated poverty on millions of Nigerians and unprecedented unemployment and hardship in both the urban and rural communities.
“Finally, the leadership of the United Action Front of Civil Society wishes to enjoin all civil society leaders, activists, working people in the private and public sectors as well as all well meaning Nigerians in general to team up with us in rallying support for the success of the indefinite strike action declared by Labour by making out time to be part of the civil society coordinating centre charged to enforce citizens sit-at-home during the nationwide strike action called to save Nigeria; push for living wages for the working people and better welfare conditions for Nigerians in the face of excruciating consequences of the exploitative and wrongheaded policies of government.”
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