FG, NLC meet over fuel subsidy
By Emma Ogbuehi
In what appears to be a last minute effort to avert a nationwide industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to commence on Wednesday over fuel subsidy removal, the Federal Government is right now meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President, is leading the Labour team to the meeting, which started around 5:51 pm.
The government team at the meeting include former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole; the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL Mele Kyari; the Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila; Hon. James Faleke, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, among others.
NLC leadership had met with the government team last Wednesday but the meeting ended in deadlock and was rescheduled for Sunday.
But the NLC refused to honour Sunday’s meeting alleging that it was ambushed by the government with the announcement of a new price template by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The organized labour union, therefore, asked the government to revert to the old pump price for meaningful negotiation to take place.
However, the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) where it presented to the representatives of President Bola Tinubu, a list of demands to be met following the removal of petroleum subsidy.
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Arising from the session at the presidential villa, Abuja on Sunday night, both parties agreed to meet again on Tuesday to give time to the President to consider the demands.
Spokesman on the President’s side, Dele Alake, told correspondents after the meeting that the session was constructive.
He affirmed that the demands put forward by the TUC were not impracticable but added that the president needed time to consider them.
While noting that the meeting would reconvene on Tuesday, Alake said government would look into the issue of minimum wage since the removal of subsidy has the immediate consequence of reducing the purchasing power of the people.
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