The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday directed all its affiliates to commence mobilisation for a nationwide strike by Wednesday, June 7.
The strike which will involve protests is to enable workers across the country join forces in a unified call for the reversal of fuel subsidy.
The move according to organised labour is a show of a massive display of dissent on the contentious decision to remove fuel subsidy which has triggered widespread outrage among the Nigerian populace.
NLC national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, told journalists in Abuja that the decision to embark on the industrial action was reached at the end of the congress’ emergency national executive council meeting.
He said unless the federal government withdraws the recent removal of the fuel subsidy before the start of work on Wednesday, organised labour would proceed on the strike nationwide.
Group Backs NLC, Calls For Reversal Of Fuel Subsidy Removal
He said, “If by next week Wednesday, the NNPCL that illegally announced a new price regime in the oil sector refuses to reverse itself for negotiation to continue, the Nigeria Labour Congress and all its affiliates will withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide until this is complied with.
“NNPCL doesn’t have the monopoly to act illegally even as a private company. The NLC has therefore directed all state councils and the industrial unions to commence mobilisation from this morning to make sure this action is in force.”
We Will Present Our Demands Sunday – TUC
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress (TUC ) says it will present its demands to the federal government on Sunday before it decides on the next line of action on the fuel subsidy removal.
Addressing journalists in Abuja at the end of the national executive meeting yesterday, TUC national president, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the labour centre was unhappy with the unilateral decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on subsidy removal without engaging representatives of organised labour.
But Osifo said NEC in session had resolved that ongoing discussions continue while it demanded that government should revert to status quo ante.
He said; “We had a conversation and the NEC has mandated us to go back to that meeting and put our demands before the government, so it is now how government reacts to our demands that will necessitate the next line of action, that is the position of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria as far as this subject is concerned.”
FG Assures Of Better Minimum Wage, To Streamline Multiple Exchange Rate
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday in Abuja said improved livelihood for Nigerians remains a top priority of his administration, with more people-focused economic policies, assuring that the national minimum wage needs a review to reflect realities.
The president who received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) led by the chairman, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, at the State House, said the national and sub-national governments would work together on the minimum wage which already requires “soul searching.’’
“We need to do some arithmetic and soul searching on the minimum wage,’’ he said, “We will have to take a look at that together, and the revenue. We must strengthen the source and application of our revenue.’’
In a statement by the director information, State House, Abiodun Oladunjoy, Tinubu urged the governors to seize the opportunity of being chosen among millions of citizens in their states to make a difference in the lives of people, adding that he would work for the benefit of Nigerians.
“This meeting is not strange to me, and the content of the meeting is so valuable. The camaraderie is very stimulating. This is about the Nigerian project, not Bola Tinubu,’’ he said.
The president said multiple exchange rates would be streamlined, noting that governance was a continuum.
“I have inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. This is the first time you entered the Council Chambers, and it is my first time too for a meeting.
“As progressives and thinkers under the umbrella of the APC, you have a role to play in educating our people and making sure we manage ourselves,’’ the president told the governors.
Tinubu said it was a good and encouraging sign that the APC has a majority in the National Assembly and some Houses of Assembly, which will make it easier to develop policies that will directly impact the economy and the people.
“If we work together, the Nigeria of our dreams is not far away. Rest assured that we will not have multiple exchange rates anymore. You asked for this meeting, and I had to set aside time to be here.
“We have a political party that we will need to manage, whichever way, we have inherited assets and liabilities, and we cannot complain,’’ he stated.
President Tinubu said he would maintain an open-door policy, willing to entertain issues, deliberate, and collectively find solutions to the challenges facing the country, including security.
In his remarks, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, called on the governors to rally around the president as he tackles the challenges that stagnate the economy, like the oil subsidy and multiple exchange rates.
Governor Uzodinma pledged the support of the Progressive Governors to the president, noting that the initial decisions already foretell good intentions for the economy.
Uzodinma noted that the president had started well by placing the economy and welfare of the people on a priority list, with honesty of purpose.
Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, said the development of the national and sub-national economies remained interwoven, assuring that President Tinubu would receive their support to succeed.
APC Govs accuse marketers of inflicting pains on Nigerians
Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused oil marketers of inflicting pains on Nigerians after President Bola Tinubu’s pronouncement at his inauguration that fuel subsidy was gone.
The governors, under the aegis of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), stated this during a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa yesterday.
Chairman of PGF and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, condemned the price increase on what he described as “old stock” and called on Nigerians to rally behind the government’s decision to remove the subsidy.
While reiterating their support for the removal of subsidy on petrol, Uzodinma said the decision for fuel subsidy removal was reached by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, under the National Economic Council (NEC), led by former vice president Yemi Osinbajo, when they came to the realization that it was no longer possible to fund subsidy.
Asked what the states were going to do to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians in the face of current realities, Uzordinma said: “There’ll be new economic realities and once a new policy comes, there’s usually this panic. For instance, from May 29 till today, I’m not aware that any petroleum marketer has imported any product. All the products in their storage facilities are those already imported, subsidized by government. Why the rush to increase the prices? It is man’s inhumanity to man.
“So I think that what we should do is to be our brother’s keepers and learn how to save the firewood we got during the dry season, so we can use it during the rainy season.
“But I think also that as we work towards improving the economy of this country, with the intention of creating prosperity, government will be reasonable enough to look at the reality on ground and address them as appropriate. I have no doubt in my mind that the man who has raised his pump price from N300 plus to N500 plus is creating panic that there’ll be no product, but I’m also aware that the genuine investors and private people are now working hard towards making sure…”
The PGF chairman assured that the situation would be better when Dangote Refinery begins production next month.
He said: “By next month, July, the Dangote Refinery will be on stream and it’s a very big refinery that will make products available. You are aware that the federal government awarded turnaround maintenance contracts for Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri refineries, so if within the period, these refineries are working, products will be available and the market forces will come into play.
“So let us create competition in the market, there’s no how any reasonable mind will encourage monopoly, anywhere in the world. Let the forces of the market determine prices, let demand and supply be at play. So those are the things I think we should do.
“For our workers, I know the president we have. You know he was the first person to increase salaries in Lagos, so he will not be insensitive to the time and experiences of federal civil servants, but we need to encourage investments, we need to allow business to boom, we need to stimulate economic activities in a manner that prosperity will be the name of the business.”
