Economic hardship: Shelve plan for protest, it will worsen situation – DSS tells NLC, TUC

The Department of State Services, DSS, has asked the organized labour to shelve plans to stage protests in the country over the biting economic hardship.

The Service warned that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence, insisting the development will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country.

This was made known in a statement issued on Wednesday by Peter Afunanya, the Director, Public Relations & Strategic Communications, Department of State Services National Headquarters, Abuja.

Afunanya said although the protest is within the legitimate right of the labour, the Service is urging the union to shelve the plan in the interest of peace and public order.

According to him, all the levels of government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt.

He called on parents and guardians to exert authority in guiding their children and wards from inimical acts capable of jeopardising public safety and harmony.

Afunanya further warned that DSS stands opposed to violence as a means of settling present day challenges, be they economic, political or otherwise, assuring that the Service will work with sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure that lasting peace is maintained in the country.

“The DSS further calls on parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions. This is more so that the Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence. The development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country.

“It is common knowledge that all levels of Government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt. So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties. They should, therefore, be given the chance to handle the challenges at hand.

“The DSS stands opposed to violence as a means of settling our present day challenges, be they economic, political or otherwise. Accordingly, the Service will work with sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure that lasting peace is maintained in the country,” part of the statement read.