By Ken Afor
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has said that it would not allow the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) headed by Nyesom Wike to demolish buildings Nigerian workers suffered for all in the name of Abuja master plan.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero said this on Friday on AIT while reacting to Wike’s interview on his proposed plan to demolish buildings believed to be distorting the Abuja master plan.
According to Ajaero, sacking people from their homes without an alternative will not be accepted.
Ajaero further stated that, “Shelter is among Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and you go and demolish it and ask them to go to hell and your so-called master plan is in your pocket.
“Nobody knows where your master plan is. And you watch NLC draw battle lines over Wike’s demolition plan in Abuja. Some workers use their retirement benefits to start a foundation (and you demolish it). That will not continue.”
He called on Wike to have a rethink on his proposed plan and consider the masses who will be mostly affected.
In his words: “Nigeria’s political class should realise that the poor are suffering and that they can no longer breathe.
“It is impoverishing the masses and it is done with a level of impunity similar to Hitler’s tyranny in Germany. That should not continue because it is affecting more workers. If you check the people whose houses are being demolished it is that class of people that you have not provided houses for.”
“Nigeria’s disposition to welfarism is gone even when it is provided for in the constitution.
“Nobody cares for your transportation. You generate your water, your electricity; you pay your children’s school fees, no hospitals. Even when workers contribute money for housing policies, it is being diverted. So, this war cannot continue”
It would be recalled that Wike hours after he was sworn in as Minister of the FCT on Monday, August, 21, 2023 vowed to bring down illegal buildings in the city.
“People who are distorting the master plan of Abuja, your houses will go down.
“People who have built on green areas, your houses will go down,” he said.
This elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians calling on the newly appointed Minister to have a second thought on his proposed adventure.
