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Fuel Price Hike: NLC Begins Protest In Abuja

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, took to the streets in Abuja to protest the decision of the Federal Government to the hike the pump price of petrol from N86.50 to N145. 

The protest began at the Labour House, Central Area, at about 8 am. Many of the protesters wore red aprons and wielded placards with inscriptions depicting their disagreement with the price hike. "A.P.C means All Promises Cancelled," read one of the placards.[slideshow]46900[/slideshow]

Equally angry messages like "The will of the masses must be respected; no to fuel price increase," Insensitivity equals corruption," and "A lying government is a corrupt government" were boldly displayed by the protesters.                   

Speaking before the protest kicked off, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the protest will continue on a daily basis until the government reverts to the old price.
 

He told the protesters that the protest would start from the popular Julius Berger Bridge on Thursday.                                                   

"I want to inform you that the masses are with us; they are standing in the gap.

" The government is trying to divide us, but we will continue to remain on the side of the masses.

"The report we have had across the country has shown that the people are with us," said Wabba.
 
However, civil servants and private sector employees were seen in their offices, having ignored the directive of the NLC that they should stay at home.

As at the time of filing this report, protesters were heading towards the Federal Secretariat, from where they planned to move to the Julius Berger where the protest will end today.               Around Abuja, policemen have been stationed at strategic places to prevent an eruption of lawlessness. The leadership and members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) did not come out for the protest, having backed out on Tuesday night.
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