By Precious Oham
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) took to the streets of Ekiti on Wednesday in a peaceful protest against the petrol subsidy removal.
The demonstrators converged at the NLC Secretariat complex before marching toward the Ekiti Government House gate, demanding that authorities suspend the fuel subsidy removal.
The protesters, singing solidarity songs while marching, carried placards with various inscriptions that said, ‘Reduce the cost of governance now! Save the masses from poverty and hunger, and ‘Stop importation of fuel, revive our refineries.’
The organised labour union made their demands through the NLC and TUC Chairmen in Ekiti State, Kolapo Olatunde and Sola Adigun, respectively.
While briefing Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abibat Adubiaro at the entrance of the Government House, they called for immediate reversal of all anti-poor government policies, including the recent hike in fuel prices, school fees and value-added tax (VAT).
They also demanded fixing local refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and releasing eight months of withheld salaries of university lecturers and workers.
The governor in his response through the Head of Service, Bamidele Olugbenga Agbede, assured that he would deliver their demands to President Bola Tinubu.
The representative of the governor, who also praised the protesters for their peaceful conduct, further assured them that the present administration would continue implementing policies that would improve the people’s lives.