‘We’re aware of your sufferings’ — Alia tells workers protesting in Benue

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, says the government is aware that Nigerian workers are going through tough times due to the high cost of living.

Alia spoke on Tuesday while addressing members of the organised labour protesting at the government house in Makurdi, the state capital.

The governor who was represented by Paul Biam, his chief of staff (CoS), said the government acknowledged the efforts of the labour movement in ensuring  that the administration is on track to implement policies that will ameliorate the current economic hardship.

Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) commenced a nationwide protest against the economic hardship in the country.

The leadership of NLC had given the government a 14-day ultimatum to meet its demands on addressing the high cost of living.

“As a government, we are completely in agreement with the fact that workers and indeed Nigerians are going through tough times,” NAN quoted Alia as saying.

“We have to accept these realities in our faces. It is only when we accept and try to bring up policies that can cushion this that we can live better.

“We are aware of your sufferings. We understand your predicaments. Please be assured of the governor’s concern and worry.

“We understand your predicaments and we will continue to engage your leadership to ensure that together we build a better Benue.”

On his part, Terungwa Igbe, NLC chairman in Benue, said the rise in prices of food items daily is alarming.

Igbe called on President Bola Tinubu to take urgent actions and implement policies that would alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.