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Indefinite strike is a
no-win situation
Nigerians and
the rest of the world were jolted into deep consternation on November 1,
2004 by the news of an impending indefinite strike action in the country,
come November 16. The announcement was made by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is
his capacity as Chairman, Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) in
response to the refusal or inability of the Government to revert to the
pre-September 23 pump prices of petroleum products. As a prelude to this
looming threat, there had been a four-day sit-at-home �warning�
strike.
An ominous angle was
introduced into this saga when LASCO indicated that if the on-coming
strike action does not achieve its goals; it may initiate a process to
compel the government to resign from office. Interestingly as well, these
threats have received the endorsement of the Conference of Nigerian
Political Parties (CNPP), a loose coalition of several opposition
political parties.
To state the obvious, this is
tantamount to eliciting an emergency situation, with dire consequences for
Nigeria and the rest of the world. As it is, the news has set off panic of
sorts in the international community, what with the approaching winter in
the temperate regions that would engender upheavals in the world oil
market.
As the �principal partner� in
LASCO, the labour movement has always been a veritable component in the
socio-economic development of Nigeria. Worldwide, Labour is known to be
traditionally activist, and clearly so in Nigeria since the colonial era.
Its contributions to the nationalist cause, pursuit of workers� welfare
and resistance to dictatorial governance are well documented by a grateful
nation.
With the return to civil
democratic rule after a long military interregnum, Labour has continued to
play activist roles that have brought it in direct confrontation with
government. The souring of relations took a turn for the worse with the
government�s drafting of a Labour Amendment Bill, which seeks to
decentralise and democratise Labour practice in the country. Even as the
Senate passed the Bill, with some of its own amendments, a Federal Judge
ruled that the position of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
is unconstitutional.
As the nation anxiously
awaited the �verdict� of the House of Representatives on the Bill, the
pump prices of petroleum products was increased by over 20 per cent,
leading to the last 4-day �warning� strike.
The relief measures announced
by the National Economic Council are commendable. The general expectation
among the people clearly reads: IMMEDIATE RELIEF!
Even as well-meaning Nigerians
and genuine friends of Nigeria admit the necessity of the current reforms,
government also needs to build consensus around its policies and
programmes. That way, the people will more readily development a sense of
belonging.
Virtually every literate
Nigerian knows that a large quantity of the petroleum products available
to us is imported, and that prices will be hinged on trends in the world
oil market. But then, how long will importation of these essential
products continue, especially
as there does not seem to be any clear explanation on the status of the
existing refineries and progress on the setting up of new ones? Hope is
dependent on expectations.
The present supply situation
is unhealthy for Nigeria. Aside from setting off inflationary spirals,
discouraging investment and dampening growth, it is potentially
destabilizing for a strategic country like Nigeria to be highly dependent
on importation of petroleum products. Therefore, the revitalization of the
existing refineries and facilitation for new plants should be given added
boosts, to stabilize domestic supplies.
Tina Okonji
Glorious,
Abuja.
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