Nigerians Set For Strike; Stockpile Homes With Foodstuff

As the countdown to the industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) continues, Nigerians have begun buying foodstuff that would last them while the action lasts.

Though some of them complained about lack of money since they are just trying to start making up for the expenses they incurred during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, they threw their weight behind organised labour saying that the fight was for everybody.

When P.M.NEWS spoke with some Lagos residents this morning, several of them regretted voting for President Goodluck Jonathan and wondered why he would think Nigerians are not enlightened enough to know what they want.

While most of the youths vowed to be part of the planned protest by musicians and members of the Save Nigeria Group, some market women said the traders in the state were already being mobilised to shut down the markets.

Mr. Chinedum Ken, a trader in Iyana-Ipaja said, “the sit-at-home “will definitely affect us, but there is nothing we can do. These people championing the course for us all are comfortable and can live well even if the government says the cost of fuel should be N350 per litre.

“But since they have come out for us, why should we not be part of the action?”

A foodstuff seller, Vivian Ojo, said every market association in Lagos State has been contacted concerning the strike from Monday and that the associations are seriously considering taking part in the action.

She said the new cost of fuel has affected food prices since majority of foodstuff sold in the state are brought in from other states including the northern part of the country.

“If we don’t do anything now, we would have gone from bad to worse. I have four children all in private schools because the government does not care about their education.

“I use a private hospital because they are more effective even though healthcare in Nigeria is challenged. I can’t sleep with my two eyes closed because as a trader, I am scared of robbers.

“I also sell frozen foods meaning that I have to constantly fuel my generator since I cannot get regular power supply. Now what else am I left with in my country?” she asked

A commercial motorcycle rider, who simply identified himself as Sunday, said his colleagues in the state are serioulsy planning to support various protesting groups.

The father of two and a graduate of Electrical/Electronics Engineering said he is aware that people are stocking their homes with what they need during the period of the strike.

He also said he had promised his wife that he would provide money to get foodstuff as the action of the organised labour would affect okada riders since they have unions.

Stressing that many of his colleagues are graduates who could not find jobs to do, he said: “many of my colleagues are angry and would do anything to ensure the President does not have his way. There are no jobs, those of us who had jobs were eased out because such organisations were relocating out of Nigeria.

“We then chose okada because we don’t want to steal. Now you have inflated the price of fuel making us lose patronage. This man may be the last President of Nigeria if he is not careful,” he declared as he explained that people now prefer trekking to taking commercial motorcycles.

He further added that with the current negotiations between labour unions and okada riders, they may not work beginning from the day the strike is declared.

A civil servant in the state who did not want her name mentioned explained that she is going to the market to get what her family may need throughout the period.

According to her, civil servants are under obligation to obey the instructions of the organised labour especially in a situation like this.

She however urged the civil society groups in the country including NLC and TUC not to disappoint the people as they are now seen as the mouthpiece of the downtrodden in the country.

Another woman, Mrs. Basira Dawodu, who was visibly angry, said she had started assisting to mobilise people in her own capacity.

“This wickedness must stop now or never. These crazy people want to see us all dead.

“Boko Haram is reducing the population with bombs, the government is reducing the population with evil policies. I and those around me will come out from next week.”

An aged woman, who sells vegetables at the Igando market only cursed the political class.

Speaking in pidgin, she said: “they may be enjoying now while we are dying, but one day, their children will beg to eat. In the rain or sun, they will never get help!

“Out of pity for Jonathan, we came out to vote and he has decided to pay us this way. I will continue to curse him and other politicians who don’t mean well for this country.”

Mr. Albert Adebayo, an advert practitioner, said if the government refused to revert the fuel price, labour and Nigerians should go on with the strike and that he is fully prepared.

“The new price is biting us hard. With God we will overcome the situation, but government must revert to the former N65 price.”

Mr. Tai Dada, a resident of Shomolu, described the policy as an agenda to kill the masses of the country by the government. He supported the strike as the only weapon the masses can use to fight the government.

“My office is at Allen, before the new price, my budget for transportation is N200 but now it is N300. Imagine those working in far places.”