Fuel Strike: Lagos Residents, Traders, Banks Others Shun Action

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, May 18th, 2016

As Ayuba Waba NLC Threatens To Ground Air Flight Thursday

By Niyi Adeyi With Agency Report

LAGOS, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The nationwide strike called Wednesday by Comrade Ayuba Waba-led Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest against the new pump price Preminum Motor Spirit (PMS) – petrol, was a total flop in Lagos State, as private and public workers shun the action and go out for their normal daily business activities.

The usual Lagos busy roads in the morning were not significantly different as commercial transporters; commuters as well as private vehicles came out early and plied various routes in the metropolis.

The situation was the same in Ikeja, the State capital; Agege; Ifako Ijaiye; Kosefe Surulere and many other local Council areas in the ever busy State.

Our Correspondent reported that popular Ile Epo market, Oke Odo in Alimosho Local Government area was patronized and occupied as usual, by both the traders and their customers. It was also observed that many gas stations opened and were attending to customers without fear of attack by the protesters and hoodlums.

Financial institutions such as Banks, insurance companies as well as other corporate establishments opened for business today.

Also in Agege Local government area, Iso Ikoko market opened and normal business activities took place from morning all through the day.

Apparently disappointed by the non-compliance to its industrial action, the Ayuba Wabba-led faction of NLC has threatened to ground flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos from Thursday, if the Federal Government refuses to revert the pump price of petrol to the old price of N87 per litre.

Recall, the Minister of State for Petroleum announced last week Wednesday new pump price of N145 per litre.

NAN reports that the factional Vice-President of NLC, Mr Adelegan Solomon, 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) would 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.

Also speaking, the President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Nasir Fagge, said Nigerians must remain united against the ruling class.

“We are convinced that what is going on now is a war of liberation.

“We in ASUU believe that any change that does not lead to transformation is underdevelopment,” Fagge said.

The flight operations NAN reports were hitch-free on Wednesday at both the international and domestic wings of the airport, despite an early morning protest by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

Employees of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), also resumed at their offices, as directed by the government.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos Airport Police Command, Mrs Victoria Menta who deployed officers around strategic locations at the airport, later met with the union members and enjoined them to be peaceful.

Following the situation, some travelers were left stranded for several hours, due to the traffic caused by the protesters.