Group Releases Survey Report on Suspended Strike
By Ndubuisi Francis
A nationwide survey conducted by an independent body before the just suspended strike commenced showed that an average number of respondents were tired of the seemingly unending face-off between the Federal Government and organised Labour and would have opted to be left out of the strike.
Some also believed that President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adams Oshiomhole was unnecessarily trying to score cheap political point, using strikes to popularise himself for his future ambition.
The attitudinal survey was conducted randomly by Super Network Organisation Operating Team in about 15 states of the federation through what it called IDIs (in-depth interviews) and FGDs (Focus Groups Discussions)
The survey conducted in various local governments of the various states indicated that the average number of respondents were tired of the logjam between the NLC and the Federal Government and not really interested in the strike .
This category preferred to have the opportunity to go out to earn their daily bread and seek ways of empowerment within the opportunities available or which can be created.
Another category expressed hope that the strike would be brief if it did hold at all as they had just started getting the momentum of evolving innovative ways to survive within the dwindling economy.
Others believed that the Federal Government should have intervened earlier and responded before the NLC decided to take the bull by the horns.
Some felt it was time that the President displayed more sensitivity to the plight of the people and should not leave the marketers who, they said, were too capitalistic to determine the pump prices of petroleum products since it will have a domino effect on all other sectors of the economy.
In the North Central part of the country, some were upset with the Managing Director of Oando Plc, Mr.Wale Tinubu who they claimed was too immature to understand the undercurrents of his action.
In the Lagos metropolis, many complained about the present administration's support for an incessant increase of the pump prices of petroleum products and believe it would go higher if something was not done about it.
Some complained about President Olusegun Obasanjo, obviously giving such superficial responses to certain questions which showed a lack of understanding of government policies and the economic implications.
Many believed a lasting solution must be found to the face-off and that government's advisers are not sufficiently on the ground otherwise they could have worked out a better strategy to absorb the international price increase of crude rather than allow the masses to suffer.
Some others felt that Oshiomole was taking on the government's role and cannot impose his own approach to resolving economic issues.
They believed he may suggest to government but should not blackmail government in these issues, arguing that he has his own political agenda for his emerging party and was using the situation to gain popularity and relevance.
They believed the President cannot join issues with the NLC and that a committee should be empowered with the Minister of Finance to sort the matter out once and for all.
They advised the Ministry of Finance to be flexible to the developing country's unique conditions while deliberating along the conventional World Bank ideology/principles.
Yet, some were happy about the strike, since it offered them the opportunity for a well deserved holiday/break.
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