NLC members, police clash (photos)

Nigerians have remained in topsy-turvy following the new development in the country’s downstream oil sector.

Legit.ng recalls that the federal government on Wednesday, May 11, removed subsidy from sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol with immediate effect.

According to the government, a benchmark of N145 per litre, has been recommended as pump price.

The announcement was made by Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum, who however promised the price will not stay for so long.

This however didn’t go down well with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), who vowed to go on strike to force the federal government to revert to the former pump price of petrol (now pegged at N145).

But just as both labour unions planned an industrial action to force the federal government to revert to the former pump price of petrol, the government filed a suit at the Industrial court to restrain them from embarking on strike. And in the early hours of Wednesday, May 18, the court read an injunction against NLC and TUC not to go on strike. The court order shows that should the NLC and TUC go ahead with the industrial action, then they are going against the law.

Just before the court order, a meeting into the night of Tuesday, May 17, between the federal government and the labour workers to reach a compromise over the proposed action, ended in a deadlock.

Although it was gathered that the federal government has agreed to set up a committee that will review the new fuel pump price as well as the minimum wage issue which the workers have been agitating over.

However, Legit.ng fact-check today, May 18, have showed that people have carried on with their usual daily activities despite NLC’s position to embark on strike to protest the fuel hike. However, there are cracks in the house of the labour union as a faction have chosen to pull out from the industrial action.

From Lagos to Ogun to Edo, Delta, Abuja and several parts of the country, Nigerians were seen carrying on with their normal daily activities. This however has triggered the ire of some others who have taken to the streets to harass motorists.

Legit.ng is on the streets of Lagos, Abuja and many other major states in the country. We are going to be bringing live coverage of how Nigerians are reacting to the strike action from the labour union.

Legit.ng will also appreciate feedback from our readers on the situation of things in their areas. Send updates to info@corp.legit.ng

5pm' Just as the planned industrial action flopped in many parts across the country, the NLC has threatened to ground flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from Thursday, May 19.

If the federal government refuses to revert the pump price of petrol to N87 per litre.

Adelegan Solomon, vice-president, NLC, made this known while addressing protesters at the MMIA over the government’s removal of fuel subsidy.

Solomon, who is also the President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUCPTRE), urged Nigerians to unanimously reject the hike in fuel price.

According to him, the N145 per litre announced by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) will further increase the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

He noted that Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) were members of AUCPTRE, adding that arrangements have been perfected to ground flight operations at the airport from Thursday.

“Today, few planes have taken-off and landed on this airport but by tomorrow, no plane will land or take off. It is operation occupy Lagos State,’’ Solomon said.

4pm'  In Lagos, the NLC protest is looking more like an endurance trek at the moment as security operatives are keeping watchful eyes on the protesters, likewise trying to checkmate their actions.

3.28pm' In Taraba state ministries in the state and public schools were closed as workers comply with the NLC strike

3pm' Adamu Ango, chairman of the Kaduna NLC has said the union in his state won't force any worker to comply with the strike order. According to him, compliance is only in few states and not compulsory.

2.30pm' In Lagos, the roads are beginning to enjoy a lit bit of freedom despite the labour union strike. Legit.ng's correspondent around the Ikeja-Maryland axis have observed motorists now ply the major roads without any form of hindrance and many business activities have continued to go on smoothly. Although the protesters have remained dogged in their strike action, despite heavy security presence. There were also scenes of some of the labour union members clashing with security operatives. It however, didn't turn bloody.

1pm' Legit.ng has gathered that the nationwide strike embarked upon by the NLC has proved to be ineffective in Kano state as workers defied the strike by reporting to their respective offices. It is also same in Bauchi, Yobe, Adamawa, Jigawa as workers shunned the strike. Although in Gombe, Enugu and Ebonyi state there have been partial compliance as most workers stayed home, with schools and banks also shut.

12.48pm' More reports from Benin have it that the strike action declared by the Edo state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), ‎witnessed below partial compliance by workers in the state on Wednesday, May 18, as some of the ministries functioned fully while others functioned partially.

Civil servants who reported early at their respective ministries and departments, however appeared jobless as they were seen loitering about and some of the doors under luck and key.

Private business establishments, offices and private schools however did not observe the sit at home order of the NLC, as banks and others opened for business without hindrance.

Many public schools however did not open. All classrooms at Idia College, Iyaro, were empty‎ as teachers were not around to teach, just as many students were seen returning home, others gathered is clusters and others playing.

The case was however different at Emotan College, Wire road, where hundreds of students were seen receiving lectures in their respective classrooms.

The State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC‎), in collaboration with some civil society organisations however matched from their James Watt Secretariat, off Mission Road, through Akpakpava road to the Ring Road and to State Secretariat at Sapele road, where they chased out all workers who reported to work.

All state ministries located at Ezoti street, behind Central Hospital, ‎were quiet as the gates leading to the premises were all placed under locks and keys.

The Oredo local government council secretariat was also closed to workers.

Other government establishments, including Courts, hospitals and others however functioned fully.

Police vans occupied by armed security operatives were positioned at strategic ‎locations around the Ring Road.

12.34pm' Protesters have taken to the streets in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

12.30pm' Just as the NLC protest have been reported in some states, there is largely non-compliance on the part of Nigerians in other states.

12.20pm' A factional labour has taken to the street of Benin, the Edo state capital to protest.

12.15pm' In Lagos, protesters marched from the labour house in Yaba, to Maryland and ended at Airport road in Ikeja area of the state to protest the fuel hike. Below are some photos from the event in Lagos.

12.03pm' Protesters have taken to the streets in Asaba, the Delta state capital.

12.02pm' Reports have it that Fadeyi in Lagos state is now safe despite the earlier reported riot. This is according to a motorist who said the NLC had protested in the area earlier in the day but have now shifted base to somewhere else.

11.45am' In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, which is largely a civil service state, the strike is enforce. In Bayelsa, workers are owed for about four months. Labour Union leaders have locked the state secretariat in Yenagoa while the Union leaders are going round offices in Yenagoa.

11.43am' In Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, the gates of the federal secreteriat are wide open. Workers are going about normal duties. The federal secretariat houses federal government workers like Customs, Immigration, NAFDAC. Petrol stations open with petrol attendants begging customers to buy their  products. Banks, markets are opened for businesses in Port Harcourt. Normal traffic jams on normal days noticed as people hurry to their offices and various places of work were noticed in state capital. The strike largely flopped in Port Harcourt as schools, businesses are in full swing.

11.30am' In Maryland, Lagos, business activity is going smoothly. Speaking to Legit.ng, a resident who chose to remain anonymous said: "Many Nigerians have refused to join NLC in the strike because we understand the rationale behind FG 67% increase in fuel price. Unlike in 2012, we chose not to strike because we believe in this government."

11.12am' There are reports that NLC and ASUU members have began protest in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

11am' A protest has been reported in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. Led by the Chairman of the State Labour Congress, NLC, the protesters mainly workers of the affiliated unions commenced their protest from the NLC Secretariat, Abiola way and moving through MKO Abiola stadium to Kuto roundabout and down to Kuto road and had a stop over at the State High court, Isabo. There was a mild drama at the High court area as the protesters are forcing shops and workers to join them in the protest, which some vehemently rejected. While many people are condemning their actions, asking them to go back to their various offices, saying, they are not fighting for the masses but their pockets, some are praising them. Findings across the state revealed that schools in Sagamu down go Ijebu Ode to Ijebu Ilese, Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ife to Itele down to Ogbere and Abigi and Ibiade in Ogun Waterside are opened with most teachers around while students are seeing in two's and there's roaming around the street. Similar situation was gathered in Itori, Ewekoro, Papalanto, Ifo to Sango down to Iju Ota, Obere Ota, Iyana Igbesa, Owode, Oke Odan, Ajilete, Ihunbo, Ilase, Idiroko, Ibatefin, Agosasa to Ipokia down to Ifoyintedo and Tube, schools were opened and students are in their various classrooms going about their educational activities. Our correspondent gathered from a source that leadership of the association of Private schools proprietors had issued a statement denouncing their non-support to the call by the NLC. Speaking with our correspondent, some of the teachers,who pleaded anonymity disclosed that they are already at their duty posts,opined that there was no need for the strike action. A resident, Ms Yetunde Giwa advised that staying at home is not the solution, but to look at a way to cushion the suffering of the masses, posited that, "there are no gains without pains". An official of a new generation bank declared that we are not part of those that are calling for the strike, so why won't we be at work. "At least, you can see for yourself that activities are going on here and other banks around here. Oke Ilewo is the economic nerve centre of Abeokuta, you can attest to it that normal activities are going on everywhere,no cause for alarm. We are not part of the strike and will be never be", the banker insisted. The NLC protesters are still moving round the town, carpeting the Federal government for their insensitivity about the masses.

10.45am' In Ogun state, residents and workers have been seen going about their normal businesses against the call by the NLC that industrial action should begin today. Investigation within Abeokuta metropolis showed that schools, banks and other offices are open for businesses. Also, Legit.ng's correspondent can authoritatively report that normal activities were going on at the State Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta as workers are seen at their various duty posts going about their normal businesses.

10.30am' Despite the anti-riot police officers arrival at Fadeyi bus-stop along Ikorodu road to disperse rioters, reports reaching Legit.ng have it that the NLC have began protest in the area.

10am' Legit.ng findings have shown that a lot of people have failed to comply with the NLC strike as they go about their daily activities. Social media expert and Nigerian blogger Japhet Omojuwa also makes same assertion.

9.51am' Protesters have taken to the streets in Ekiti state in compliance with the NLC strike.

9.20am' Reports reaching us have it that the NLC have commenced protest in Abuja. Some members of the labour union have taken to the streets with the union flags demanding the FG revert to the former pump price of petrol.

9am' Following intelligent reports from some Nigerians, Anti-riot police officers have arrived Fadeyi bus-stop along Ikorodu road to disperse rioters who blocked the road by creating burn fires this morning.

7.30am' Hoodlums arrive Fadeyi bus-stop along Ikorodu road to harass motorists who looked to be heading to their places of work. The hoodlums blocked the road by creating burn fires.

7.10am' A poll conducted by Legit.ng on our official Twitter handle (@naijcom) has shown that more Nigerians prefer the NLC don't go on strike.

7am' Reports have it that that hoodlums have blocked the every busy Ikorodu road to stop motorists who seemed to be heading to their various places of work.

Source: Legit.ng