Some Port Harcourt residents criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for suspending it’s second day protest against hunger and insecurity. A cross section of residents who spoke with our reporter wondered why NLC ended the protest when the aim has not been achieved. They said that it is a known fact that subsidy removal is negatively affecting the people greatly, suspending the strike according to them is suspicious. The residents however accused the NLC of compromise. Stating that, the hike in fuel price is outrageous and people are going through the eye of the needle, therefore a sensitive and a serious issue like this shouldn’t be neglected.
The Civil Society Organisation in Rivers State has also expressed disappointment over the suspension of the protest. The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, Solomon Lenu said NLC of Nigeria is supposed to advance in it’s methodology and also grow in strength, incredibility and in integrity to ensure that whatever is thrown at them by recalcitrant politician does not waver them from their stand. He said unfortunately what have been seen so far is week men who politic to take over the affairs of NLC to the detriment of the common masses that they are suppose to represent.
A lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Joseph Obele have described the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress as toothless bulldog. Dr. Obele in an interview with our reporter said Nigerians have lost faith in both the NLC and TUC. Adding that president Tinubu unexpected removal of the subsidy without proper consultation was questionable.
The former Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) chairman further explained that all stakeholders were on the table discussing the issue of subsidy, and on that table, all the stakeholders actually supported the removal of subsidy, with the caveat that it will be done when Port Harcourt refineries commences operation. He questioned NLC and TUC for not doing anything when president Tinubu said fuel subsidy is removed.
