JUST-IN: Federal Govt Wades In, Revalidates Eagle Square For Workers’ Day Celebrations

After several outcry by many Nigerians over denial of the organised labour to used Eagle Square for May Day celebrations, the federal government has revalidated the venue for the event.

LEADERSHIP reports that barely three days to the celebration of the International Workers’ Day on May 1st, authority of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday withdrew permission given to the labour centre to use Eagle Square in Abuja for their May Day celebration.

The development sparked negative reactions from both the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC ).

But in a statement issued by the director of press, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun on Saturday evening, the federal government has made the venue available for the organised labour to use for May 1, Workers’ Day celebrations.

He explained that the intervention came through the minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Ngige who drew the attention of the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello to the development.

According to him, the FCT minister blamed the development on some overzealous officials and said the withdrawal was done without his authority, as well as minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC using the Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade, for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On receiving the report, the Minister contacted his colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who blamed the development on some overzealous officials, acting without his authority, as well as minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC”.

“It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square, Merrs Julius Berger that informed the Transition Committee for the hand over ceremony that they erected their equipment even before last Thursday when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event attended by the President.

Consequently, the FCT Minister assured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the workers day.

This May Day is the last in the life of this administration. The NLC parade belongs to everybody, including government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliate unions and members of the public. The President, Ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. The Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals”, the statement added.

Speaking further he said, “The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment has been in touch with the leadership of organised Labour led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and has briefed them on these developments and equally extended the apologies of the Honourable Minister of FCT for the unintended embarrassment occasioned by the action of their officials who misinterpreted the general intention and work plan of one month of Messrs Julius Berger the company incharge of the renovation of the Eagle Square for the May 29 inauguration to also include the May 1, 2023.

The FCT Administration has promised to give all necessary material support to make the event hitch free and successful, while the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment wishes all Nigerian Workers a blissful Workers day on May 1”.