By Ayo Okulaja, AfricaNews reporter in Lagos, Nigeri
The Nigerian labour union has called off the six-days strike that crippled the nation's economy saying they've taking the decision "in order to save lives and in the interest of national survival." The leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in a joint press conference on Monday, both acknowledged that the federal government did not attend to its demands with the reduction of the fuel price to N97.
But noted that the protest in the last one week has made the government "adopt the policy to drastically reduce the cost of governance and "vow to bring to justice all those who have contributed in one way or another to the economic adversity of the country" and this the union describes as success for the Nigerian people.
This is coming after the military were unleashed on protesters across major cities in the country, prevent any further protest. President Goodluck Jonathan in an early morning speech where he announced the reduction of fuel price from N141 to N97, hinted of the crackdown stating that "Government will not condone brazen acts of criminality and subversion. As President, I have sworn to uphold the unity, peace and order of the Nigerian State and by the grace of God, I intend to fully and effectively discharge that responsibility.
He also urged the labour leaders to call off their strike, and "go back to work."
However, the labour union commended Nigerians for their resolve to change the country for the better and urged them to "take advantage of the Government’s invitation to further engage on these issues."
"This is in line with Labour’s resolve that the oil industry is too important to be left in the hands of bureaucrats, and that we have the patriotic duty to ensure that Nigerians get the best from this natural resource" said the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress; Abdulahi Omar whist he announced "the suspension of strikes, mass rallies and protests across the country." The labour union also demanded for "the release of all those detained in the course of the strikes, rallies and street protests."
