FG, NLC Fuel Subsidy Removal Parley Ends In Deadlock

The meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over fuel subsidy removal has ended without a consensus.

The meeting began around 4 pm on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Representatives of the Federal Government included Dele Alake, the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu; and the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari.

Other government officials present were the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The Organised Labour was represented by the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero; and the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo.

After several hours of meeting with the Federal Government, the NLC demanded that the Federal Government return to the status quo by reversing the price of fuel before resuming negotiations with the NLC.

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, who criticised the removal of subsidy stated that the status quo returns before any formal engagement with the NLC to protect the Nigerian workforce and proffer additional solutions.

The NLC insisted that the Federal Government did not enter into any conversation even on palliative measures for Nigerians, hence the rejection of the latest announcement.

The union said it had decided to reconvene with its members to determine the next line of action.

Conversely, Alake described the meeting as robust, adding that talks would continue. He expressed hope that the parties would reach a reasonable conclusion at its next adjourned meeting.

On Monday during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for fuel subsidy, further payment was no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu said.

His government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy, he added.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the House Of Representatives have since backed Tinubu’s decision.

However, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) argued the President could not unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal, saying there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the “sensitive issue” to the new government.

Fuel queues have since resurfaced across the country since the presidential pronouncement as Nigerians forage for the premium product.

Comments

€56.250m Contract Award Allegation, Malicious, False, NDDC Clarifies

By Editor The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has dissociated itself from a fake contract award letter being circulated online purporting to originate from the desk of the managing director of the commission. The commission stated that the fake letter which purportedly notified an Italian company of an award of a contract for the sum of €56,250,000 did not emanate from the commission. According to a statement from the office of the Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Dr Ibitoye Abosede, the commission stressed that it is not in the know of such contract and that the public should disregard such malicious falsehood. The commission unequivocally stated that the document was fake, adding that the purported contract was also a scam. “It does not exist either in the records of the commission nor is any of our officials aware of it,” the commission said. The interventionist commission, having studied the purported document, stated that the contract awards in N...

2023: Nigeria Ranks Low, As IMF Names Countries With Highest Debt

The 2023 World Economic Outlook of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has named the countries with highest debt – Sudan 256 per cent, Japan 255 percent, and Greece 168 percent. According to the October index posted by Statisence X handle, while Nigeria has 39 percent, and China 83 percent, the U. S. has 123 percent and United Kingdom 104 percent. The above data shows that Argentina tops the list of 12 highest IMF debt burden with $44,433,379; followed by Egypt at $12, 521, 322,333; Ukraine $11,588,182,405; and China $9, 674,159, 560. Also on the list are, Pakistan $7,969,383, 344; Russia $7, 850, 147, 849; India $5,606,170, 345; Brazil $3, 995, 905, 562; Mexico $3,946, 241,133; Venezuela $3,534, 993, 686; Indonesia $2, 741, 057, 642; and South Africa $2,471, 131, 618. However, as of March 2023, Argentina led 10 countries with the highest debt burden, hitting $46billion; Egypt $18billion; Ukraine $12.2billion; Ecuador $8.2billion; Pakistan $7.4billion; Colombia $5billion; Angola $4....

2023 Census: We Won’t Ask Questions On Religion –NPC

2023 Census: We Won’t Ask Questions On Religion –NPC By Editor Ahead of the commencement of the 2023 census, the National Population Commission (NPC) on Wednesday said it will not ask questions on religious affiliation. In a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Public Affairs, Isiaka Yahaya, the commission said the decision to exclude religion along with ethnicity from the census questionnaire was taken in consideration of the sensitive nature of these issues within the Nigerian polity. He also stated that the need to save the census data from needless controversies and attention will compel the NPC to avoid questions bordering on religion. “For the avoidance of doubt, the commission wishes to state unequivocally that the 2023 Population and Housing Census will not canvass questions on religion and religious affiliations of respondents.” This comes amid a viral WhatsApp audio claiming that the religious affiliation of a person will be canvassed. The exercise is schedule...

Nelly's SmartBriefs

Search This Blog