NLC takes stance on insecurity, unionisation in Dangote Refinery, other issues
By Eberechi Obinagwam
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has said that the union will not sit and watch insecurity take over the country, especially on the recent kidnap of school children and workers.
Ajaero who disclosed this on Thursday at NLC NEC meeting held at the Labour House, Lagos said they would take a strong stand to know why insecurity persists in the nation and fish out those aiding it.
He said: “At the end of this night meeting, we will want to know why security men who were sent to guard a school were withdrawn and for kidnappers to come and kidnap students. We are going to insist and protest nationwide to know who gave that instruction, to know whether the soldiers were compromised, to know whether the leadership was compromised. Never again shall we watch while kidnappers and bandits take over”
On the issue of power, he said no country develops without developing its power sector. “They came with regularisation, and three years later, where are we now? The CNG as an alternative should be massively developed. Adding that, the continuous distraction of refineries will bring monopoly to the market.”
On the issue of unionism, he said it is non-negotiable. “It will be out of place for foreigners to say that they can’t allow unionisation in their company in Nigeria. It’s a law that must be obeyed. In section 40 of the constitution, you have the right to belong to a trade union, the right to religion, the right to a political party of your choice. Has anyone stopped them from belonging to the party of their choice?” he queried.
Another problem he identified is the issue of ASUU strike. According to him, the problem hinges on not keeping to agreement. He said, agreement must be respected at all times. “These are the issues we will be looking at.”
Ajaero added that the union will define their movement, especially in politics. “Any fraction will be withdrawn,” he said.
Femi Falana, lawyer and human rights activist, decried the incessant kidnapping in a country with a government in place.
He noted that the situation has become so bad that a foreign president has to interfere. He recalled how Nigerians said no to foreign interventions in 1962.
“We said no to foreign interventions. And said we can manage our own affairs. We have always rejected such a dangerous move.”
He lamented that many Nigerians, out of ignorance are saying let Trump come but did not know his mission.
“Mr. Trump is not talking about protecting christians. He wants to have his way. Look at Gaza, they are supplying them with weapons. The solution is that we must pressurise our government to protect our lives and properties because that is what they swore in for. Foreign intervention will worsen the whole situation. We must mobilise and compel the Bola Tinubu led administration to protect the lives and properties of our people and to defend Nigerians. We must let the whole world know that we are not conquered people,” he said.
Falana said unionisation is part of Nigeria’s system, adding that nobody is an institution under the law.
Referring to the vice president calling Dangote an institution, he responded: “NUPENG, PENGASSAN, must be part of Dangote’s Refinery. Workers must be allowed and be free to join the union. We all came out to challenge capitalization and we are not to be defeated by any capitalists. When Dangote and the government were having issues, we came out to fight for dangote. Now, this same Dangote is rejecting unionism. No, union membership is automatic.
“Lastly, we will draft a committee that will ensure that every Nigerian must have health insurance,” he added.
