By Faith Awa Maji, Katsina
As early as 10am today August 2nd, members of the Katsina State chapter of the organised Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) converged at the State secretariat to joined its counterparts nationwide in a peaceful protest march through some major streets in the metropolis accompany by a heavy armed security personnel.
The NLC peaceful protest match was in compliance with directive from the union’s national headquarters, over the recent hike in plumb price of fuel, among other tagging it as “anti-people policies” of the Federal Government.
Katsina State NLC chapter Chairman, Dr. Hussaini Hamisu Yanduma led other members, as well as the Trade Union Congress, TUC, began the protest from Liyafa Roundabout, through Barhim, Kiddies, and the Steel Rolling Mill roundabouts.
The NLC Chair, Yanduma in his addressed to the protesters, described the action as prelude to a total shutdown of the nation if the Federal Government fails to meet the NLC demands.
He described the recent hike in the pump price of fuel as an anti-people policy, along with equally recent hike in school fees for students of the Unity Schools.
The Katsina Labour union leader then demanded immediate reversal of the policies as well as immediate implementation of earlier agreement the NLC reached with the Federal Government and the Security.
“The Federal Government should put a stop to its inhuman actions and policies otherwise Labour will go ahead and hold a mass action which will affect everybody in the country.
“Nigerians voted for this government and any policy that will bring hardship on ordinary citizens is unacceptable.
“Government should put our refineries to use because the cost of fuel is high because crude oil is taken outside the country for refining and brought back to the country.
“This is irrational when we have three refineries and government budgets money every year for the maintenance of these refineries,” he noted.
