NLC Begins Indefinite Strike Nov 16
Declares Shell workers' enemy no.1
By Chris Nwachuku, Hilda Esin in Lagos and Hammed Shittu in Osogbo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its main allies, the civil society organisation yesterday resolved to embark on indefinite strike from November 16 to protest the Federal Government continued refusal to revert the prices of petroleum products to pre-September 23 rate.
The coalition said its demands would be enlarged to accommodate other socio-political yearnings of Nigerians. The NLC also declared oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) as workers number one enemy for allegedly adopting measures to weaken participation of oil sector workers in the planned strike.
The general strike which is the second phase of the campaign against last September hike in the prices of petroleum products, was initially billed for November 4 and 5.
To demonstrate its resolve to ensure total strike, Oshiomhole said mass rallies will be carried out in all states beginning from Lagos on Wednesday.
However, NLC President Adams Oshiomhole said the labour and civil society coalition decided on the new date after considering the genuine concern of muslims in the country, who had demonstrated commitment to the struggle and in appreciation of government insincerity in tackling the issues that led to the first phase of nationwide strike.
"The President has completely shut the door of dialogue and has abused those of us who are participating in the dialogue and Senator (Ibrahim) Mantu Committee, that we have gone outside its mandate. We cannot work to meet or satisfy the agenda of Mr President. We cannot work to further the agenda of IMF.
"We refuse to accept that Nigerians should continue to make sacrifice, because those who push the policy have shielded themselves from sacrifice. The finance minister (Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) earns in dollars. By the time they finish dealing with us with this policy of deformation, Okonjo-Iweala will fly back to United States to stay with her husband and children," said Oshiomhole.
While noting the concerns of the muslims, who are undergoing the Ramadan fasting and their commitment to the struggle for the reversal of the fuel price, Oshiomhole said adjustments had to be made on the commencement initial date agreed for the resumption of the strike.
"We have also reflected on the genuine concern of the ordinary muslims, who have been our genuine allies in the North, West, East and South. In deference to these foot-soldiers, we have scheduled the strike to begin on November 16th. On this date, the strike will begin and when it begins, it will be indefinite," he said.
Oshiomhole who spoke to newsmen in the company of Chairman of Labour-Civil Society Coalition, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, president, Trade Union Congress (TUC), among other activists, said in the renewed struggle, the demands would be widened to take care of all the bitterness and frustration being experienced by the citizens in the hands of the present government. The 'charter of demand,' the workers president said, will include the political issues which the civil society has been seeking for.
The coalition of civil society organisations frowned at political development in the country which include the frequent undermining of the National Assembly and other political actions of key officials of government that have threatened the current democratic project.
Citing example with several decisions made by the National Assembly which had been disregarded by the presidency and the treatment given to recommendations made by the Senator Mantu palliative committee, Oshiomhole disclosed that government has demonstrated complete disregard for democratic institutions and the Nigerian people.
"At present, the National Assembly has almost been abolished. The Senate and the House of Representatives passed a resolution asking government to reverse the pump price of petroleum products to the pre-September 23 rate. This was ignored. The Mantu Commitee, even with its conservative request for price reduction as canvassed by NECA, MAN and NACCIMA, with ministers supporting it, was also ignored. There is nothing that exposes the danger to our democracy than this, that we cannot discuss with our government," said Oshiomhole.
Reflecting on the activities of Mantu Committee and the recent measures adopted by government to cushion the effect of the fuel hike, the NLC leader said government only wanted to give the impression that it is sensitive to peoples desire while it continued the implementation of the punitive measure. It noted that the measures are not novel and had failed in the past.
"It is obvious that this government is not interested in price reversal, price reduction and commitment to cushion the effects of the policy.
"The workers movement and civil society turned down Obasanjo's request that Mantu Committee should visit South Africa to know how independent bodies like Petroleum Products Pricing Agency (PPPRA) fixes prices," he said.
Oshiomhole added that South Africa which is not an oil producing country cannot drive the process in Nigeria. He asserted that instead of Obasanjo listening to the advice of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, he should hearken to the request and advice of Nigerians as foreigners cannot have a better understanding of Nigeria's domestic problems.
The labour and civil society coalition also accused Shell of supporting government policies to keep Nigerians in pain and perpetual poverty.
It noted that the Dutch oil company has not only decided to dabble into the internal politics of Nigeria, but also opted to prevent oil workers from going on strike in a bid to restrain them from participating in the next strike action.
Labour and its allies vowed to resist Shell, even as it announced that a Lagos lawyer will lead labour's defence against Shell in a case that comes up today.
"We have decided to declare Shell as enemy of Nigerian people. Shell and its functionaries will be treated as such. If it wants to be a tool for repression, it should expect a hostile environment," said the NLC President.
He noted that as long as government and its allies have capacity to inflict pains on Nigerians and turn the country's wealth into poverty, labour will continue to wage endless war.
Also at the weekend, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) urged Obasanjo to accede to the demand of the leadership of the NLC by reviewing downwards the pump prices of petroleum products.
The Acting Secretary General of YCE, Dr. Kunle Olajide, disclosed this in Osogbo on Saturday while featuring on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) personality interview programme tagged, "Living-Spring Splash."
According to him, "the recent hike in the prices of petroleum products has continued to have an adverse effect on Nigerians and the only way to reduce the effects is to let the status quo remains."
|
