The Federal Government meets with the representatives of the organised labour in an effort to prevent the nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC on Monday.
However, the NLC has advised citizens to stock their homes with food items, medicines and other essentials ahead of the commencement of its seven-day strike to protest the removal of fuel subsidies and the escalating cost of living in the country.
The NLC noted that the warning had become necessary because the strike would cripple the country as movement would be severely curtailed as commercial transport operators would withdraw their services, while markets, schools and healthcare facilities would be forced to shut down.
The Assistant General Secretary, NLC, Chris Onyeka, said in an interview with journalists that the citizens should also minimise their movements to avoid being stranded.
He also noted that the labour team would meet with the government on Monday, adding that the outcome of the meeting would determine the next step.
You will recall that the NLC had given the government a seven-day ultimatum with threats of a nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
In a statement signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero,the NLC accused the Federal Government of failing to meet up with its demands following the removal of the subsidy on petrol, which caused an astronomical rise in the pump price of the commodity.
Following the announcement of the strike by the NLC, the government team immediately called for an emergency meeting with the organised labour comprising the NLC and Trade Union Congress with a follow-up meeting on Friday at the State House.
On its part, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers, NUPENG and the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE had on Saturday confirmed that they were mobilising their members to ground the supply of fuel and the national electricity grid from Wednesday in response to the planned mass protest called by the NLC.
NUPENG General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale said this was mandatory as every affiliate must obey the directive of the NLC.
Electricity workers have also stated that they would shut the national power grid as it was binding on all employees in the sector to join the mass protest.
The acting General Secretary, NUEE, Dominic Igwebuike, stated that the NUEE is an affiliate of the NLC and will take part in the strike action.
The National Deputy President of the Trade Union congress, TUC, Tommy Etim, blasted the government over the lack of seriousness shown so far with regard to the negotiations.
The National Executive Council of the NLC had on Friday endorsed the August 2 nationwide strike and mass protests proposed by the body over the recent hike in the pump price of petrol.
