Mbah to workers: We have long-term plans, palliatives won’t solve problems

Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu state, says palliatives will not solve current problems posed by the removal of the petrol subsidy in the country.

According to NAN, Mbah spoke while addressing workers on a peaceful protest at the government house in Enugu, on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) commenced a nationwide protest over the removal of the petrol subsidy and the high cost of living in the country.

The union had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies.

The union also called on civil society organisations (CSOs) and its councils across the states to join in the August 2 nationwide rally to make the government hearken to its demands.

Efforts by the federal government to halt the planned strike and protest failed.

Addressing the workers, Mbah, represented by Ifeanyi Ossai, his deputy, commended them for leading a peaceful protest and their contributions to the growth and development of Enugu.

“Palliatives don’t solve problems but we are going to look at the remote causes of these challenges with medium to long-term plans in solving the problems,” Mbah said.

“Just on Tuesday, I set up a committee to provide palliatives to Enugu citizens to cushion the effect of removal of fuel subsidy and in the days ahead, people will begin to receive value from the committee.”

Speaking earlier, Fabian Nwigbo, state chairman of NLC, told the governor that prices of goods and services have skyrocketed while civil servants’ salaries remained stagnant.

Nwigbo said the situation has subjected Nigerians, both rich and poor, to untold hardships.

“We are here today to inform the Enugu state government on some of the policies introduced by the present federal government on May 29 that put the entire nation into suffering,” he said.

“Since the removal of the fuel subsidy, the country had known no peace. In 2019, civil servants were given a minimum wage of N30,000 while the prices of fuel increased to between N617 and N700 per litre.

“Citizens of this country are suffering, many dying in their numbers while the insecurity is being driven by hunger hardship.

“So we want his excellency to take our message to the federal government that those policies are affecting the masses.”

Nwigbo appealed to Mbah to provide palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel removal in the state.