The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has provided further details about the resolution of last night’s meeting between the Federal Government and labour, highlighting that decision included steps to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on the people.
Gbajabiamila, who will assume duty as Chief of Staff to the President next week after ending his tenure as Speaker, restated that the meeting would reconvene on 19th June to agree on the implementation framework of the resolutions reached.
The Speaker, who led the government delegation to the resolution table, told the media at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) agreed on a seven-point resolution.
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for any wage increase or award and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to review the World Bank Financed Cash transfer scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.
“The Federal Government, the TUC and the NLC to revive the CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) conversion programme earlier agreed with Labour centres in 2021 and work out detailed implementation and timing”, Gbajabiamila said.
CNG is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane, compressed to less than one per cent of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is the cleanest burning fuel operating today and brings about less vehicle maintenance and longer engine life.
Gbajabiamila added that meeting also agreed to review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
According to the Chief of Staff designate, the resolution include: “The labour centres and the Federal Government to review and establish the framework for completion of the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries.
“The Federal Government to provide a framework for the maintenance of roads and expansion of rail networks across the country.
“All other demands submitted by the TUC to the Federal Government will be assessed by the joint committee”.
He stressed that the NLC agreed to suspend the notice of strike forthwith to enable further consultations as well as continue the ongoing engagements and secure closure on the resolutions.
The resolution was signed by the Presidents and Secretaries of the NLC and TUC; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour Employment, Ms Kachollom Daju.
The Federal Government had earlier obtained a court order restraining labour from embarking on a nationwide industrial action on Wednesday.
