Workers in Imo state, on Tuesday matched the streets of Owerri, the Imo state capital, protesting the increasing economic meltdown in the state and across all the states of Nigeria. The workers under the umbrella body of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) embarked on the two-day protest in line with the directive of the national body.
Dressed on black attires, the protesters displayed placards bearing various inscriptions such as, ‘end hardship now,’ ‘we say no to economic hardship ravaging the country,’ ‘stop the hunger,’ ‘lower food prices,’ ‘Nigerians are hungry,’ among others.
But speaking with the Imo state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Uche Chigaemezu Nwigwe, he said the idea was to drive home their demands to curtailing the rising cost of living in the country.
He described the situation as unbearable, adding that the economic ravages have affected both the junior and senior civil servants in Imo state.
According to him, “the exercise is a national directive as a result of hunger and dilapidated infrastructures in the country. It’s a peaceful demonstration. The major target is to send a strong message to the presidency to step up actions and save Nigerians from the prevailing economic downturn.
“It’s a two-day peaceful demonstration. We are going to continue tomorrow. But in case our demands are not met within a stipulated time, we shall embark on mother of all protest.
“We urge Imo people especially the civil servants to be law-abiding and resilient because we strongly believe that the Federal Government will surely do something to salvage the situation.”
Comrade Cosmas Christopher, the Imo state Chairman of Non-academic Staff Union, who also spoke to our reporter said the hunger in the land had reached its worrisome limit. No family can boast of a normal three square meal daily. Both the rich and poor are crying. Yet government has remained adamant. Is it when all Nigerians die of hunger, that they will do something!”
Other bodies among the protest were the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) led by Rev. Philips Nwansi, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) led by Comrade Charles Okere, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its state Chairman, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwanguma among others.
But responding, the Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Nnamdi Anyaehie, said the NLC’s actions were justiable but applauded the leadership for conducting themselves properly without having to engage in acts or activities capable of fanning the embers of discord in the state.
He promised to carry their messages to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he said has been in series of meetings to factor out measures to minimizing the economic ravages in the country.
