Strike kills economy, Aina warns
From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti
FORMER Commissioner for Finance in Ekiti State, Mr. Bayo Aina, has warned on the dangers of the impending strike being spearheaded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and civil societies on the national economy.
In a statement yesterday, Aina called for a dialogue between the Federal Government and the leadership of the NLC to avert the nation-wide strike, saying the nation's economy would suffer a lot if the strike should take place.
Also speaking in the same vein, a traditional ruler in the state, the Owese of Odo-Oro, Oba Oyegbadebo Olowoselu II, said the Federal Government should heed the demand of the NLC for downward review of the prices of petroleum products to save the nation from the agony of another round of strike.
Aina said that the strike might not achieve any positive result because the President "listens to nobody but himself," adding that through the strike, the nation might be playing into the hands of the enemies of democracy.
He further warned that the expected growth in the economy might be a mirage since the nation was going to lose a great deal to the strike, which by multiplier effect would deal a blow on the economy.
He explained that the nation had been calling for inflow of foreign investments into the economy, but lamented that the series of strikes in the recent past may discourage investors from coming into the country.
The former commissioner castigated the Olusegun Obasanjo administration for the increased level of poverty in the country, saying that Nigeria could only make progress if the leaders listened to the voice of wisdom, instead of their selfish desires.
He called on the President to alleviate the suffering of the people rather than add to it, adding that Nigerians had not benefited from the various past policies of the Federal Government due to bad implementation.
He said it is sad enough that Nigerians are now paying heavily for electing a government that has not been able to give effective leadership that could bring smiles to their faces.
Oba Olowoselu, who spoke at the weekend at a civil reception for the state Commissioner for Information, Culture, Sports and Social Development, Mr. Kayode Otitoju, said the Federal Government in all its actions should always consider the interest of the people and that millions of Nigerians are now suffering with no hope of a better tomorrow.
His words: "Rather than allow the workers to go on strike, government should dialogue with the NLC. The government should stop acting as if it has all the answers".
