FG Frustrating Us from Reversing Fuel, Electricity Tarrif Hike—NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress has said that the Federal Government is frustrating its efforts aimed at resolving its grievances regarding the increase in the pump price of petrol.

It expressed disappointment by tactics being used by the government to delay the resolution of the price hike stating, that the government is not prepared for a sincere and honest dialogue in finding a lasting solution to the twin issues of petroleum price increase and electricity tariffs.

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The Deputy President, NLC, Joe Ajaero explained that its members walked out of the meeting with the Federal Government on Sunday following the perceived calculated effort of the government to frustrate the process of an amicable resolution.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Ajaero noted that nothing in its agreement gives the government license to embark upon pain-inducing and life-crippling increase in pump price of products at this difficult time.

He said, “The Government’s conduct was not only a violation of fundamental terms of its agreement with labour, it was in bad faith calculated to frustrate the process of an amicable resolution.

“Recall that following our notice to the government to protest the increase in the pump price of petroleum products and electricity tariffs, the government reached out to labour not to proceed on its nation-wide protest, that was slated for 28th September 2020.

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“Terms and conditions for putting the protest on hold were clearly spelt out in the Memorandum of Understanding. The conditions include fixing the existing refineries, entrusting them to efficient management, creating an enabling environment for new refineries, and doing all positive things that would ensure enhanced and sustainable local refining capacity.”

He added that it expected the government to channel its creative energies to deepening stimulus to the appropriate sectors of the economy to kickstart growth.

“Indeed, the letter and spirit of the terms and conditions of the agreement pre-suppose that contemplation of an increase or an increase would constitute a breach of the dialogue process.

“The Government/Labour Committee was set up to review the increase in electricity tariff.

“Whilst the Committee was still working the government had not taken any step to revitalise the local refineries and has flagrantly refused to discuss this with the unions in the oil and gas sector as agreed.

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“At our meeting yesterday, we had prioritised as urgent this matter before delving into the issue of palliatives. However, the Honourable Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige did not think it was important. All efforts to make him see reason failed. Given the tense situation and government’s manifest insensitivity, labour has no option other than a walk out.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that the government is not prepared for a sincere and honest dialogue on finding a lasting solution to the twin issues of petroleum price increase and electricity tariffs.

“And this is in spite of the patriotic understanding of labour which has drawn the flak of the public which think we are not doing enough to protect their interests on the issues of petroleum products and electricity tariffs.”

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