Organized Labour on Tuesday lamented that the Femi Gbajabiamila-led committee set up by President Bola Tinubu to Negotiate with NLC, TUC On proffering better ways to cushion the effect of Subsidy removal on Nigerians seems Incapable
The National President of NLC, Joe Ajaero made this known when the leadership of Labour Union met with the Senate leadership one week after they led a protest to the National Assembly.
Ajaero says the major challenge to resolving the pending issues, is the committee put in place, according to him, the committee seems not capable as a result of the busy nature of the office of “chief of Staff to the president “
He added that as labour, they have had Negotiations and engagements with governments in the past from the time of Ikaite as SGF, kingibe, Pius Ayim and Boss Mustapha.
He further stated that at no time had the chief of Staff to any president, who is very busy is called to negotiate or lead negotiations or Special Advisers.
He stated that after the protest one week ago, the Gbajabiamila-led committee is yet to convene any meeting despite the president’s promise that he will restructure the mechanism of engagement with government to help things to be treated fast.
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Ajaero added they had agreed on wage award, and up till now, the committee on wage award is yet to sit on the way forward
The TUC President, Festus Usifo while speaking during the meeting with Senate leadership, lamented the plight of Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy without anything on the ground to ameliorate the effect in the citizens.
He told the lawmakers, that $800 million intended to be borrowed from the world bank expected to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, The government is yet to produce a record of those termed poor and vulnerable that would benefit from the funds.
In his response, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio appreciated Organized Labour for their patience and understanding to assist the government.
He told the Labour Union that although the President has saved N1 trillion as a result of fuel subsidy removal , the President inherited a Highly indebted country of over N30 trillion.
Akpabio assured the National Assembly will partner with the Labour Union to brainstorm on possible solutions to the current challenge and, and in turn interface with the Executive on best way to Implement their resolutions to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians
The meeting thereafter Entered a close session.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
