Nigeria Labour protest: Nigerians going through very difficult times – Gov Alia

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State says Nigerians are going through very difficult times and that he would support any legitimate steps taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to get the government to respond to the yearnings of the people.

The Governor stated this Tuesday when he received the protesting members of the organised labour at the main entrance of Benue Government House in Makurdi after they marched through major streets of the state capital, to protest the high cost of living and increasing hunger in the land.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Paul Biam, the Governor said the government was not unaware of the situating in the country and was working round the clock to fix the situation.

He said: “As a Government we are completely in agreement with the fact that workers and indeed Nigerians are going through tough times. We have to accept these realities in our faces. It is only when we accept and try to bring up policies that can cushion this that we can live better.

“We are in complete support of whatever legitimate ways you adopt to ensure that Government is on her toes to bring in policies that will alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

“We are aware of your sufferings. We understand your predicaments. Please be assured of the Governor’s concern and worry. We understand your predicaments and we will continue to engage your leadership to ensure that together we build a better Benue.”

While assuring that he would transmit the workers’ grievances to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Alia commended them for being peaceful in their agitation.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Terungwa Igbe who blamed the bad policies of the Federal Government for the increased poverty and suffering in the country lamented that the prices of goods and services had gone beyond what the Nigerian worker could afford.

He urged President Tinubu to take steps to ameliorate the situation to save the masses from lack and hunger.

Also, the Zonal Coordinator, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Nsukka Zone, Raph Amokaha who flayed the Federal Government for its bad policies that plunged the country into deep economic crisis lamented the effect of hyperinflation on the income of Nigerians who he said were now living from hand to mouth.