The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, expressed deep concern over the escalating economic hardship and food scarcity in the country, noting that many Nigerians have been forced into scavenging for basic necessities.
Speaking at the 11th quadrennial delegates conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday, Ajaero lamented the dire situation faced by Nigerians, emphasizing that the government must not ignore the plight of the people.
Ajaero criticized government officials for dismissing protests against hardship as being sponsored by individuals, asserting that the reality of food scarcity has compelled many Nigerians to resort to desperate measures to feed themselves and their families.
“Food has become so scarce that Nigerians have become scavengers and resorting to raiding food trucks and warehouses for food,” Ajaero stated, highlighting the severity of the situation. He emphasized that the government must fulfill its obligations to the people and address the root causes of poverty and hunger.
He further warned that recent incidents of looting, including in Abuja, were symptomatic of broader societal issues stemming from government policies that exacerbate poverty and inequality.
“The looting of food trucks and warehouses is what you get when this happens. Unless something is done, this may unfortunately escalate. We pray it does not,” Ajaero cautioned.
Asserting the role of labour unions in advocating for the welfare of the people, Ajaero stressed that threats and violence would not deter their mission to hold the government accountable for its actions.
“We cannot be cowed. We cannot surrender our natural mandate to powers and agents of poverty and emasculation,” he declared.
“We must insist that the instruments of governance must be used for the greater good of the people and not to wreck their lives.”
