Commercial activities in the nation’s capital of Abuja was on Wednesday shut down following the ongoing protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, over the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant effect on the pump price of the product.
Though workers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were not very sure whether the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, would live up to their threat of shutting down the nation in protest of the fuel hike, DAILY POST correspondent who went round the city observed that commercial activities at the city Centre, especially
around the Beggar roundabout, Wuse axis and Central area were at their lowest ebb. Our correspondent observed that the ever busy Federal Secretariat witnessed minimal activities as only few workers were seen walking in and out of their offices. Few of the workers who were obviously afraid of been harassed by labour leaders were seen peeping through their office windows not to be taken unawares by labour compliant officers.
At the popular Wuse market, some customers were hurriedly buying food stuff. One of the traders told DAILY POST that there was need to stock one’s house with foodstuff as the present government was doggedly stubborn. The trader who identified herself as Aisha said ‘’
This government is doggedly stubborn, so I doubt they will reach any compromise with labour leaders. I need to stock my house so we don’t run out of food stuff.’’
At the Beggar roundabout, it was a total shutdown. Traffic was at a standstill, and commuters were stranded as protesters blocked every part of the road. It took the intervention of security operatives and Road Safety officers before the gridlock eased off.
DAILY POST also observed that many workers who went to their office on Wednesday morning following
threat of no work- no pay by the federal government returned home after information got to them of the ongoing labour protest.
A man who identified himself simply as Daniel, told DAILY POST at the Federal Secretariat thus: ‘’ I don’t think that threat of ‘no work-no pay’ will work. This is not the first time we are hearing this. Nothing is happening in these offices, so the earlier I leave for home, the better for me,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, addressing journalists at the conclusion of today’s protest, NLC leadership said until the Federal government reverses its decision on the new price regime, the protest will continue.
Details shortly…
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