Labour Hits Yenagoa Streets to Protest High Cost of Living in Nigeria As Governor Diri Calls for Restoration of the Value of the Naira as Solution.
By Abraham UKPA
Members of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress have taken to the Streets of Yenagoa to protest over the economic hardship being experienced across the country.
The protesting workers embarked on the peaceful procession along the Lambert Eradiri drive through the Melford Okilo Road, terminating at the Government House at Onopa in Yenagoa to press home their demands.
It was gathered that the police and other security agencies were on ground to ensure a hitch free protest.
The protesting workers united under the umbrella of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress sang solidarity songs and carried placards with inscriptions such as " Politicians, let the Poor Breathe", "End Hunger and Poverty, We Reject IMF Policies", Stop the High Cost of Living in Nigeria ", "Federal Government Make Our Refineries Work Again", "Fund Our Public Schools ", amongst others.
Addressing newsmen during the protest, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Barnabas Simon said the ailing economy occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and spike in exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar had made life unbearable for workers and the ordinary citizens.
Mr. Simon noted that the spiralling inflation in basic food, goods and services had made life impermissible for many families.
Receiving the protesters in front of Government House, Governor Douye Diri commended them for their peaceful conduct during the protest.
The Governor who stated that the President would not deliberately inflict hardship on Nigerians , said the solution lies in fixing the economy and restoring the value of the Naira.
Governor Diri said he would consult with the State Head of the Civil Service and the leadership of Labour to work out palliatives for the workers in the State to cushion the effect of the high cost of living on them.
