Tax rich people, subsidise poor Nigerians; reject IMF policy, NLC tells Tinubu

The Nigeria Labour Congress in Ondo has asked President Bola Tinubu to “tax the rich and subsidise the poor” to end the historic hardship in the country.

NLC made the demand on Tuesday during a street demonstration in Akure to protest the continuous high cost of living and inflation.

The protest started at 9:00 a.m. from NLC’s secretariat as the protesters marched to the governor’s office to register their displeasure.

Speaking at the protest ground, the Ondo chair of NLC, Victor Amoko, said, “Let the government reject IMF and World Bank policy so that the entire citizens will also have a breathing space. Stop the profligacy of government. They should tax the rich and subsidise the poor. Fix local refinery too and end the subsidy. Stop school fees increase.”

Addressing the protesters, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa noted that the Ondo government also felt the suffering of the masses.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, represented by the head of service, Kayode Ogundele, said, “The issue of labour and workers are very critical to the governor. That is why we take your issue seriously. For some time now, we have been enjoying peace and harmony.

“This government has taken proactive steps to ensure the level of hardship is reduced by ensuring it cleared arrears of workers and It is one of the steps to keep the workforce going in the face of economic reality in the country,” he stated.

The governor further revealed that the state was also planning to roll out the CNG busses, which had already been purchased and would soon be out for use in different parts of the state.

While noting that Ondo was among the few states paying N35,000 wage awards to workers, Mr Aiyedatiwa said his government would continue to roll out welfare incentives to benefit the workforce.