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Eminent citizens move to
reconcile labour, govt
By Bassey
Inyang
Correspondent,
Calabar
Eminent
Nigerians have risen to mediate peace truce between the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC) and civil rights movements against the Federal Government
over the increase in prices of petroleum products,
Their move
is to stave off another round of strike that labour has said is the final
battle over the fuel price hike.
The
initiative of the Nigerians who are working under the umbrella of the
Peace and Reconciliation Foundation (PRF) is coming at a time the NLC and
civil rights groups are gearing up for a total onslaught against policies
of government they consider to be oppressive and anti-people.
NLC
President, Adams Oshiomhole has said workers would commence another round
of strike that promises to be more devastating in effect than the four-day
stay-at-home warning strike from October 11 to 14.
Already,
the PRF comprising prominent citizens like Third Republic Senate
President, Dr. Ameh Ebute, Senator Ibrahim Lame, Senator Lekan Balogun,
Mallam Bello Gwandu and Mr. Frouk Umar have started consultations with
labour and civil rights groups to find a lasting solution to the
problem.
Briefing
journalists in Calabar at the weekend, a member of the group and chairman
of the Education Committee of the Cross River State House of Assembly,
Innocent Okey said the PRF is set to ensure that the issue is resolved
once and for all.
Okey said
apart from members of the group opening up liaison directly with labour
and government, it has made contacts, with traditional rulers across the
country, politicians, state men and several interest groups to also reach
out to all parties involved so as to avoid a situation where the nation
would be dragged into uncertainty.
Although,
he did not state whether the move by his group was an expression of lack
of confidence in the committee established by President Obasanjo to find a
lasting solution to the increase in prices of petroleum products, Okey
emphasised that members have come to a conclusion that the gains of
democracy and the rapid development of Nigeria can only be sustained in an
atmosphere of peace and genuine reconciliation.
The PRF
spokesman said the body would stop at nothing in ensuring that violence is
stemmed out of the nation�s polity as it would continue to promote peace
and reconciliation, through dialogue between opposing interest groups and
individuals.
Enumerating
ways of achieving this goal, Okey averred that before long, the body would
embark on a nationwide enlightenment campaign that would educate
Nigerians, through seminars and workshops on the importance of peace in
the land.
He said the group would from
time to time identify individuals and groups in the society that have
contributed to keeping the peace of the nation and award them
accordingly.
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