NLC/TUC Mass Protest: Plateau Police Commissioner Lauds Organized Labour for Peaceful Conduct

The Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Bartholomew Onyeka has commended the organized Labour and other well meaning Citizens of the State for their peaceful conduct during the protest which started today 2nd August, 2023 organized by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Unions Congress (TUC) to press home some demands which include the hike in the Price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), high cost of living, poor economic situation, increase in public school fees, non-payment of 8 Months withheld Salaries of University Lecturers/Workers and increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) which they said are unfriendly policies causing untold hardships to the masses.

The Police Commissioner gave the commendation while addressing thousands of protesters who came out to participate in the mass protest outside the Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat Jos, Plateau State.
He lauded the maturity and sense of decorum being demonstrated by the protesters and urged them not to allow any action that will affect the relative peace being enjoyed in the State at the moment.
He praised the Labour Unions’ Leaders for the role they are playing to ensure the protest is peaceful and devoid of violence. He said his men are fully on ground to provide adequate security and ensure miscreants are not allowed to take advantage of the protest for their criminal activities.

Plateau State Chairman of NLC, Cmr. Eugene Manji appreciated the citizens for their peaceful conduct all through the first day of the protest and said they action will continue if nothing is done to address the situations that led to the protest.
According to him, the masses are going through bad times following the removal of fuel subsidy which led to hike in the Price of PMS from the official rate of N189 to N617, a situation he hinted has led to hard times and persistent increase in the prices of good and services. He said Nigerians now use over 70% of their salaries on transportation with nothing reasonable left to pay their bills.

Cmr. Kenneth Shammah the TUC Chairman Plateau State, Associate Prof. Chris Piwuna the National Vice President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Cmr. Steve Aluko of the Civil Society Organizations and others who spoke lambasted the federal government for what they described as its draconian policies that are causing pains to the populace calling for the reversal of such policies.
They insisted that the Federal government has not put in place actionable strategies and measures to address the sufferings of the people following the removal of fuel subsidy and hike in the price of goods and services in the Country.
They called for the establishment of refineries, sound economic policies and other welfare packages that will improve the economy and alleviate the sufferings of the masses.
They also called on the Federal Government to put in place measures to address the security challenges bedeviling the Nation and establish more industries that will produce goods and reduce the over-dependence on imported products.
They said they will continue to struggle to achieve freedom from the clutches of oppression and impoverishment.
The protesters had a peaceful procession from the Secretariat Junction flyover to the Federal and State Secretariats’ Gates then back to the convergence point.