By George OPARA
The Nigeria Labour Congress has reflected on the state of Nigeria and its workers with fears that growing insecurity, abject poverty, and prevailing economic crisis are compelling Nigerians to a state of hopelessness.
Also, NLC and other stakeholders in the Nigerian project have been persistent on premising the palpable hardship on the country to the pattern of fuel subsidy removal was approached by the the existing federal government.
Yet, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has remained unaffected, declaring that the Presidency will not reverse the policy of the fuel subsidy, notwithstanding incessant agitation over the effect of its removal on the cost of living.
But Joe Ajaero, NLC president in an interview, said the situation has reached a critical point where survival, rather than productivity, has become the priority for many Nigerians, especially workers.
He said, There is now a broad consensus across the country, including among government officials, that insecurity has severely undermined livelihoods, disrupted economic activities and heightened hardship.
He added, ” workers can no longer operate effectively in an atmosphere of fear, displacement, and uncertainty, with many forced to abandon their homes and means of livelihood.
“Everyone in this country will tell you that insecurity has finished the country. It’s not a question of whether I am in government or not. Even people in government are lamenting. It is a problem for all of us. Workers cannot operate in those areas, and that is very important”.
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