Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL ) has thrown their weight behind the appeal made by senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) , Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other labour unions to shelve their proposed nationwide protest.

President General of the Igbo youth group, Goodluck Ibem in a his statement supporting Kalu on Monday said although the strike is in other but argued that it was not the best time for it.

He said “Though it is the right of Labour Unions to embark on strike to press home their demands under a democratic setting if the feel aggrieved, but to embark on a strike at this time in our nation will increase hunger, suffering, and hardship which will be very disastrous to our economy.

“As citizens of this nation, we are all stakeholders and we should do our best to ensure that we protect and defend the interest of our nation.

“We call on the Federal Government to do her best to discuss and dialogue with the Labour unions to ensure that the strike is shelved. We must keep the interest of our nation first.”

While recalling the recent strike action by the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) , Ibem said the tanker drivers increased the pump price of petroleum products above the reach of the common man.

“Fuel increased from N680 to N1000 per litre and filling stations have blatantly refused to sell at N680 even after the strike has ended .

“The truth is that, for every strike action, it is the masses that bears the burden and it will be unwise to punish the same people for which we are fighting for.

“We therefore call on the labour unions to please listen to Senator Orji Kalu who in all ramifications is a patriotic and selfless leader by cancelling the proposed strike action in other to save the Nigerian people and our economy from collapse given the present economic downturn,” Ibem stated.

Source: The Sun