NLC Protest: Obaseki empathises with Edo people, Nigerians over high cost of living

assures sustained measures to ease suffering, hardship

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has empathised with people of the State and Nigerians over the incessant rise in prices of goods and services and overall cost of living in the Country, which has inflicted pain and suffering on the people, reassuring that his government will continue to provide measures to ease the hardship faced by the people of the State.

Obaseki spoke when he received members of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other concerned Nigerians who were on a peaceful protest, at the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital, to register their displeasure over the high cost of living occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

Obaseki who was represented by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, in company of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said the government stands with the people in this very challenging times.

He said, “The Edo State Government supports the protest. We identify with you because this hike in price has affected everyone. We are doing our best to see how this hardship is reduced or limited for Edo people.

“The important thing is to ensure that we are able to feed Edo people. We will do our best in terms of feeding but we don’t have power over fuel. We are doing our best to ensure all the filling stations in Edo State sell fuel at the agreed prices.

“We are concerned about the hardship facing Edo people that was why few days ago, the Edo State Government had a meeting with market women, farmers, traders, civil society groups and a host of others in the food chain at Urokpota Hall in Benin City.”

Noting ongoing efforts to address the rise in price of food, the governor stated, “The Edo State Government has put many things in place to change the narrative and help reduce the cost of food.

“Our government feels the pain of the Edo people. We want Edo to thrive and are not happy as a government that we have to protest to register our displeasure over the high rise of food prices.

“We appeal to Edo people and will make sure that the government has put in groundwork for the people and reduces the hardship.

“The farming season is just beginning. We are assisting with the preparations of land, farming inputs, and equipment and are ready for a bumper harvest. We are making sure that roads are good and reduce the cost of transportation. We are also assisting in bringing the food to the City.

“The message of this protest will be carried to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We want to also let Edo people know that the Edo State Government identifies with Edo people because of the rise in cost of living and will do all necessary to ensure Edo people don't suffer from this hardship."

Earlier, the Chairman of NLC, Edo State Chapter, Comrade Odion Olaiye said, “Members of NLC are here to register their protest on behalf of the Congress to Mr. Governor for onward transmission to Mr. President. We can’t bear hunger anymore. Food items are very high now and people are finding it difficult to eat. Things are hard for Nigerians as we call on the president to intervene.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

L-R: Representative of Civil Society Groups, Kola Edokpayi; Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie; Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter Comr. Odion Olaiye; representative of Edo State Governor and Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, during a peaceful protest to Government House, Benin City, Tuesday, February 27, 2024.