Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Lagos converged under the Ikeja Bridge early on Tuesday to begin their two-day protest over the high cost of living in the country.
Traffic on the Awolowo Road leading to the underbridge Ikeja mounted as the protesters gathered, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards.
Recall that the National Body of the NLC declared on Feb. 16 a two-day protest over the high cost of living, fixed for Feb. 27 and Feb. 28.
The protesters were seen on Tuesday in Ikeja as early as 8 a.m., and there was also a heavy police presence at the Ikeja under bridge.
Speaking before the march began at 9.15 a.m., the Lagos State Chairman, NLC, Mrs. Funmi Sessi, said that the protest was against the economic hardship faced by workers and Nigerians at large.
“The price of foodstuffs has gone beyond the reach of Nigerians; the price of rice and beans has gone up as well.
“The monthly salary of workers no longer takes them home, not to talk about taking care of their families.
“We are marching to the State House of Assembly to present a letter; this protest is purely organised by the NLC, with the support of some affiliate bodies,” she said.
She commended the security operatives led by the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, who was physically present to lead the team to ensure hoodlums did not hijack the protest.
NAN reports that security operatives, including police, civil defence, neighbourhood watch, and LASTMA, were both at the front and back of the protesters.
This was to ensure they were protected, according to the commissioner of police’s promise.
Fayoade had on Monday met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state ahead of the two-day protest.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the meeting in a statement on Monday night.
Hundeyin said that the leadership of the union was invited by the commissioner to look into all areas of the planned protest.
“The CP has equally assured that the police will be on the ground throughout the protest to ensure their security,” he said.
Hundeyin said that the NLC Chairperson in Lagos, who led the team to the command, Mrs. Funmi Sessi, assured the commissioner of a peaceful protest by her members.
He said the chairperson submitted a letter of notification on the protest to the police boss.
The image maker said that the NLC protest would take off from Ikeja Under Bridge to Alausa, the seat of the Lagos State Government.
Heavily armed police operatives were seen at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, and other parts of Lagos on Monday in readiness for the planned protest.
Earlier in the day, Fayoade had also been to the NLC secretariat to address some other protesters from civil society groups who took to the streets over the cost of living, according to Hundeyin in an earlier statement.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fayoade, addressed the protesters before the procession took off in his presence.
“The procession was peaceful and without any untoward incident,’’ Hundeyin said, adding that Fayoade personally monitored the security operation and the protest.
He stated that the protesters neither caused traffic congestion nor got involved in violent activities.
He explained that the procession moved from the Yaba area to Maryland, stressing that the police were with the protesters all the way.
“The protesters played their part well and did not obstruct traffic”Hundeyin said.(NAN)
