18 November 2011, Sweetcrude, Ilorin – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Federal Government to withdraw the soldiers it deployed in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) installations.
Making the call at the 7th National Labour Relations Summit at Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, president of the congress, Abdulwaheed Omar, said labour was surprised at the action of the government.
Omar explained that there were ongoing talks to resolve issues of the PHCN, adding that the deployment of the soldiers could negatively affect the talks.
He also alleged that there was a hidden motive behind government’s action.
The Nigerian government says the soldiers were deployed to protect the installations from attacks by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
Omar said, “We urged the Federal Government to ensure that these soldiers are withdrawn in order to facilitate smooth transition and smooth talks that will engender progress and something that will be of benefit to the entire Nigerians.
“May be the Federal Government is really being economical with the truth. It is not only the PHCN that should be secured from the attacks of Boko Haram. There are so many other places. We believe that the government is doing this with some hidden reasons.
“We are really concerned about the safety and security of the workers. That is why we call on the Federal Government to withdraw the soldiers. There is nothing wrong in safeguarding any property or installations of that nature, but the way it is being done leaves much to be desired.”
