Workers in Imo have called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse subsidy removal and the increased fees for unity schools and tertiary institutions.
The workers made the call while speaking to newsmen in Owerri, on Wednesday, as part of a nationwide protest organised by labour unions on Wednesday.
Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) commenced a nationwide protest over the removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.
In Owerri, the Imo capital, security operatives have taken over the popular Assumpta Cathedral roundabout, control post, the scheduled venue for the protest organised by the labour unions.
The workers were seen with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Let Nigerians Breathe,” “Fuel Price Increase Suffocating The Poor” and “Naira Devaluation Killing Local Industries and Jobs” among others.
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The Acting Chairman of the NLC in Imo, Dr George Ogoegbu, appealed to the Federal Government to rescind its recent economic policies, fix refineries, pay university workers their owed eight months’ salary arrears, reduce VAT and reduce school fees for unity colleges and tertiary institutions.
He said, “We urge Mr President to keep faith with the agreement entered by the Federal Government, NLC and TUC. We cannot continue to suffer; let the poor masses breathe.
“Nigerian workers are one of the least paid in the world. We cannot fuel our vehicles. The cost of living is alarming and we can no longer continue this way”, he said.
Also, the Secretary of the TUC in Imo, Mr. Benjamin Ezekwe, questioned the motives behind the removal of fuel subsidy without concrete plans to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
He called on the Federal Government to desist from making promises and swing into action without delay, adding that the long wait for a remedy since May 29 has become exhausting.
“The President of a country ameliorates the suffering of the masses, not otherwise but a majority of President Tinubu’s policies have brought suffering upon Nigerians and we the workers can no longer continue to suffer in silence.
“We challenge Mr. President; if he is not coerced into being our president to revisit his policies without delay and ease our suffering. Procrastination is the thief of time “, he said.