Nigerians can’t continue to suffer like this – Saraki

… as NLC, TUC protest nationwide against economic hardships

Senate president, Bukola Saraki, says it is time to go into action towards addressing the numerous challenges confronting Nigerians, saying we need to sit down and work out how to make necessary adjustments.
“It can’t continue this way, the exchange rate is high, cost of things in the market have gone high but only the workers’ salaries remain the same. By the next time we will meet, I will tell you what the National Assembly has done to improve the living condition of Nigerians,” Saraki said.
This was the declaration of the Senate president yesterday as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Thursday staged a protest at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, over the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
Ayuba Wabba, NLC president, said the groups were protesting the delay in the upward review of minimum wage amid increasing cost of items in the country, noting, “We are here to demand for good governance and express our support in the fight against corruption. More importantly, we demand for respect for rule of law, greater accountability and transparency in governance.”
He expressed worry that Nigerian workers had been the major victims of the fall-out of corruption and bad governance, saying today the dollar rate was N500 to one dollar and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same.
“Therefore, we are here to urge the National Assembly to play an important role to ensure that life is made better for Nigerians. We cannot succeed if the fight against corruption does not succeed.
“We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there,” he said.
Also, Bobboi Kaigama, TUC president, said the inflation rate in the country was growing astronomically, and it was time for governments at all levels to go back to the drawing board to revive the country’s economy.
“Whatever it takes, we must review the structure of our economy. If we must have to kill corruption, the laws have to come from the National Assembly.
“Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose,’’ Kaigama said.
Nationwide, the organised labour mobilised millions of workers to stage a protest against they termed ‘worsening human condition’ and increasing economic woes faced by the masses.
The protest came four days after millions of others in what they tagged “I Stand with Nigeria” took to the streets in major cities across the country, on Monday, to voice out their dissatisfaction with the way the Federal Government manages the economy, resulting in untold hardships for the people.
In Lagos, the placard-carrying workers and their civil society allies marched from Yaba through the Ikorodu Road, chanting solidarity songs. They called on the Federal Government to formulate policies to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Amaechi Asugwani, the vice president of the NLC, who addressed the protesters intermittently as they marched through the streets, said almost two years into the President Muhammadu-led Federal Government; Nigerians were yet to see the promised ‘change’. According to Asugwani, formulating people-oriented policies will reduce the worsening poverty in the country.
He said that the rally was necessitated by the outcry of people against the increasing cost of food, goods and services, which the government has done nothing to address.
“The government should be sensitive to the plight of the people. It has not increased the salaries of workers and many companies have closed because of poor power supply,” the unionist said.
The protest attracted many activists, including maverick artist and former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Charles Oputa, known popularly as Charlie Boy. Hundreds of policemen in combat gear were also on hand to monitor proceedings.