Emma Amaize
09 January 2012, Sweetcrude, WARRI- NATIONAL Coordinator of the Warri-based Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Oghenejabor Ikimi Esq, has said that the nationwide strike by Organized Labour and civil society groups over the removal of fuel subsidy, commencing today, January 9, is a matter between the People of Nigeria and Nigerian Government, and so, the Industrial Court has no jurisdiction over it.
Ikimi who denounced Friday’s order by the Industrial Court, declaring the planned strike as illegal, urged the labour movement, civil society groups and well-meaning Nigerians to go ahead with the mass protest and strike without fear.
Addressing newsman in Warri, he said, “The recent order of the Industrial Court to the effect that the NLC/TUC proposed strike action nationwide is illegal. We make bold to state that the said order of court is an order made in vain as the Industrial Court only has jurisdiction over matters that borders on industrial dispute”.
“The NLC/TUC proposed strike action commencing from the 9th day of January, 2012 is not predicated on an industrial dispute but rather on a dispute between the Nigerian People and the Nigeria Government over the welfare of the Nigerian citizenry in line with Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“We, therefore, call on the NLC/TUC and the civil society groups to embark on the planned mass protest and strike action without fear.
On the fuel increase announced January 1 by the PPRA, he asserted, “The announcement by the PPPRA to Nigerians on the 1st January 2012 of the removal of subsidy on PMS is no doubt a new year “Greek gift” by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to ordinary Nigerians and we call on all Nigerians, including the organized labour and civil society groups to resist this anti people policy of government”.
