The ongoing protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress against the economic hardship in the country has hit Benue streets.
The protests started from the NLC state secretariat in Otukpo road marched towards major streets in the capital city of Makurdi where the protesters match at the government house.
Security operatives were also deployed at strategic locations to avert any breakdown of law and order.
ComradeTerungwa Igbe, the State Chairman of the NLC, lamented that Nigerians are passing through untold hardships following the bad economic policies of the Federal Government.
Igbe said prices of goods have skyrocketed to the extent that within a day and in the same market, the same items are sold at different rates depending on the time of the day.
The chairman added that the high cost of living has affected the workers seriously and urged President Tinubu to urgently initiate and implement policies that would alleviate the sufferings of the masses.
Also, the Zonal Coordinator, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Nsukka Zone, Mr Rapheal Amokaha, said their current salaries could no longer feed two persons for a month due to the high cost of living in the country.
“If not for the economic hardships inflicted on Nigerians by the President’s policies we won’t be talking about salaries here. Our salaries can not feed two persons for a month,” Amokaha said
Addressing the protesters, the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia stated that the government was aware of the sufferings of workers and other Nigerians in the country.
Alia who was represented by his Chief of Staff Mr Paul Biam assured the protesting workers that their grievances would be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu.
He said it was very clear that Nigerians were passing through tough times and said the government was not relenting in its efforts to ensure that Nigerians have an improved standard of living.
He said, “As a government, we are completely in agreement with the facts 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 are doing to ensure that the 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.” he said
The governor assured the state chapter of the union of his commitment to workers’ welfare and commended them for their peaceful protest in the State.