From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Organized Labour in Kogi State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to reverse all policies that are working against the interest of Nigerians.
The Kogi State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gabriel Amari, made the appeal on Wednesday during a peaceful protest held in Lokoja over the removal of fuel subsidy by the present administration.
Amari noted that the protest was born out of the unpleasant hardship being faced by Nigerians, adding that if urgent measures are not put in place, it might lead to national chaos.
He lamented that ordinary Nigerians could no longer feed three times a day, stressing that the new hope promised by the present administration has been dashed out
According to him, the government should allow the poor to breathe, adding that Nigerians are gradually losing hope in their elected representatives.
Presenting a five-point demand to the Kogi State Government, Amari said the union requests it to implement the resolution signed with the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
The Labour leader also admonished the Federal Government to reverse the fuel hike to its old price and fix the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.
Amari also told the present administration to release the eight months withheld salaries of university lecturers across the federation.
“Nigerians are passing through the worst moment in their lives. This is not the renewed hope President Tinubu promised us when we wanted to vote him. All the anti people policies must be reversed immediately before things get out of hand,” Amari lamented.
Responding, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was represented by his Deputy Chief Edward Onoja, commended workers for the peaceful protest adding that, the government will pass the message of workers to the appropriate authority.
According to him, every Nigerian feels the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, stressing that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government will ensure that the yearning of Nigerians is met within the shortest possible time.