Oshiomhole explains NLC's failure to embark on strike in 2006
NLC President Adams Oshiomhole gave reasons why the NLC did not embark on strike or protested against the federal government in 2006.
Oshiomhole was speaking at a dinner he hosted for labour correspondents in Abuja.
``The truth of the matter is that as a result of our collaboration, the federal government accepted the futility of subjecting the Nigerian market and the Nigerian people to what they called free market.
``Government finally agreed that it will not subject the domestic prices of petroleum products to market forces, and that subsidy is not injurious to the Nigerian economy,'' he said.
Oshiomhole said government went further to appropriate some billions of Naira to guarantee price stability of locally consumed petroleum products.
He noted that with the policy there was no need for labour to re-enact the annual festival of strikes as a result of the incessant increases in the prices of petroleum products.
``I think it is important to mention this because many people have asked me why nothing happened in 2006. Nigerians have gotten used to this annual festival,'' he said.
Oshiomhole, expressed the hope that the efforts made by labour, civil societies and the media would not be in vain.
He explained that it was not acceptable that an oil producing country was faced with enormous fuel problem.
``Whether it is pipeline vandalism or somebody did not place order for the right thing, nothing can justify why the economy of the country should be subjected to this kind of suffocation.
That the people are spending precious man-hours trying to procure few litres of fuel is unacceptable,'' Oshiomhole said in apparent reference to the current scarcity in the country.
``The system is so incompetent that people spend precious time waiting to procure what even Ghanaians take for granted,'' he said.
He said that people were confused and did not know what else to do, adding that it was the task of the NLC to provide the light and show the way.
``NLC must remain a key player now that I am involved in some other aspect of the struggle.
This thing they call politics, I am convinced that the only people who can save Nigeria are not this bunch of so called politicians.
``It is you the non-politicians, organised group, the media, the organised labour, the civil society who must continue to insist that this country must work,'' Oshiomhole added.
He commended the media for their partnership, and urged them not to relent in the quest for a just course and sustainable democracy.