Lagos – The Organised Private Sector says the sector is losing about N200 billion daily to the strike which started on Monday.

Stakeholders in the sector lamented in Lagos that the strike would have negative consequences on the operators if it continued for long.

They urged the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to call off the strike to minimise the negative impact on the citizens and the economy.

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) said that although it was the right of the people to protest, it was also time to stop the strike.

Dr. Herbert Ajayi, the President of NACCIMA, the sector was losing an average of N200 billion daily to the strike since it started on Monday.

“It’s well known across the country that people are against the Federal Government removal of fuel subsidy because it will increase the rate of poverty and unemployment level.

“The OPS members are the worst hit in the whole scenario.

“If you go to the drawing board, you will discover that the harsh operating environment in terms of poor roads, energy, security, among others, being shouldered by our members, and with the strike, we are losing more.

“We have heard that the Federal Government and the labour have cogent reasons.

“But the most important thing to do now is to go back to the drawing board to fashion out a lasting solution,” Ajayi said.

He warned that prolonging the strike more than necessary would further put its members at a disadvantage.

According to him, further prolonging the strike will make members to lay off workers and reduce production.

“We are not producing, but the workers’ wages are pilling and cost of running other auxiliary services to keep some machines on are ongoing.

“There are some machines that will cost millions of naira to overhaul if shut down.

“All these are the unforeseen negative implications labour should look into and call off the strike,” Ajayi said.