President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, expressed displeasure with the activities of the labour unions in the country, warning that they should give peace a chance or wait till 2027 if they are interested in participating in the electoral process.
Tinubu, who disclosed this in Lagos during the inauguration of the 27-kilometer Lagos Red Line train project, said the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, had embarked on four industrial actions within the first nine months of his administration.
While calling on the labour unions to allow his administration to concentrate on its policies, he warned that they are not the only voice of the people.
Tinubu, who urged Nigerians to persevere, maintained that his administration would remain consistent and committed to its policies in a bid to revive the economy.
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“Let me throw a jab here. The labour union, no matter how much you claim to have freedom and rights, four strikes within the nine months of our administration is unacceptable.
“If you want to participate in the electoral process, wait till 2027. If not, I need peace; you are not the only voice of Nigeria,” he warned.
The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, said the union suspended its two-day nationwide protest due to intimidation and threats from the government.
Recall that the NLC and other related unions commenced a planned nationwide protest on Tuesday over the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity and hardship in the country.
Tinubu, who vowed to be relentless in the fight against corruption, noted that the commissioning of the Red Rail Line project was a constant reminder that change was possible.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the inauguration of the project was the culmination of a long and painstaking journey of reforming the transportation sector in the state, which was started by Tinubu during his reign as the state governor.
The governor said, “At full capacity, this first phase of the Red Line will transport 250,000 passengers daily, which will grow to 750,000 passengers daily when we have the full complement of rolling stock on the line.”
Sanwo-Olu also reiterated that the state will commence work on the 4th Mainland Bridge in April.
On his part, the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, challenged other state governors to emulate Lagos State in boosting infrastructural development.
Other dignitaries at the event include governors of Ogun, Borno, Ekiti, and Kwara, among others.
The Red Line rail project is a 37-kilometre North-South rail route that will run from Agbado in Ogun state to Marina with 13 with stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, MMIA International, MMIA Domestic, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute Meta, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.
However, only 27km has been completed, integrating key bus terminals at Oyingbo, Yaba, Oshodi, Ikeja, and Iju.
