By Ahmed Ahmed
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Nationwide protest over persistent hardship and insecurity in the country was successful amidst tight security in Bauchi State.
The procession of the NLC Bauchi Chapter and affiliates Unions converged at the Secretariat of the Congress on Tuesday, 27th Feb. 2024 at 8:00 am walked to the Emir’s Palace and terminated at Government House where a message was delivered
There was heavy security presence both in uniform and plain clothes to protect against any form of trouble against the procession and to ensure members were protected and as well control crowd and traffic.
The Police Command Spokesman SP Ahmed Wakil said the police command has already expressed its determination to ensure a hitch-free Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protest slated for two days on Feb. 27 to 28, 2024.
He said that adequate security measures were placed to ensure hitch-free conduct of the procession across the State.
“The Command has taken into cognizance that every citizen has constitutional rights to peaceful protest, including legitimate Labour unions.
“The protesters are strongly warned to ensure all processions are conducted within the guidance of the law, as the command will exercise its full powers to ensure no rights of other citizens are violated,” he said
The command in conjunction with relevant security agencies has been part of the procession since morning to ensure it was peaceful and it ended peacefully
The Chairman Bauchi NLC, Mr Dauda Shuaibu at the Government House presented a letter to the Deputy Governor Mr Auwal Jatau over their grievances and workers’ plight in the country.
He noted that Bauchi labour had to join the nationwide protest as directed by the National Headquarters of the Congress slated for Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th Feb.
Shuaibu explained the reason for the protest was to draw the attention of the concerned governments over current hardship, security challenges and other ugly trends which has caused untold hardship in the country.
According to the state NLC Chairman, all the issues resulted from the removal of fuel subsidies declared by the government without taking necessary action.
Shaibu also said the protest was to express concern over the non-payment of palliative by the Bauchi state government to its workers and other issues that have a direct bearing on the welfare of both staff and retired civil servants.
Responding, The Deputy Governor, Mr Jatau commended the labour union for conducting a peaceful protest rally in the state.
He assured the labour union that the message would be delivered appropriately to the Federal Government and the State Governor Bala Mohammed respectively.
He sympathises with the situation of civil servants, urging them to remain focused and steadfast as the government is working out modalities that would end the challenges in the country.