NLC PROTEST GROUNDS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN PARTS OF LAGOS

……Many Lagosians join protest against worsening hardship

Economic activities were crippled and roads blocked for hours along Awolowo Road and adjoining roads in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday following the commencement of the two days protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, against the worsening economic hardship in the country.

Members of affiliate unions of NLC in hundreds, converged under the bridge at Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja, before proceeding to the State Assembly Complex in Alausa.

The protesters, who chanted solidarity songs also carried placards with various inscriptions such as, “End Hunger and Poverty Now”, Reverse subsidy removal on Petrol” and “Let the poor breath”.

At the Ikeja Underbridge, they were joined by hundreds of armed policemen, led by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade.
CP Fayoade assured them that they did not come to attack them, but to ensure that the protest was orderly.
The Lagos State Police Commissioner vowed that they would work to prevent some elements from filtrating into the crowd to hijack the protest and cause the destruction of properties.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Lagos Chairman of NLC, Comrade Funmi Sessi bemoaned the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal, saying all interventions by governments were yet to cushion the hardship on the masses.
She urged all Lagosians to support the NLC by joining the protest which is for the good of the masses of the country.
Comrade Funmi Sessi debunked the rumor that the police command invaded their office in Lagos in a bid to stop the protest, saying that the force remains a friend of the masses.
On his part, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana called on members of the Lagos Assembly to come up with a bill on Social Security for residents of the State.
Addressing the protesters, the Majority Leader of Lagos State Assembly, Mr. Noheem Adams pledged that the House would look into the demands contained in the protest letter.
The protest is expected to continue tomorrow, February 28, with the workers insisting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should address them tomorrow.