The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress(TUC) have shifted their proposed nationwide strike action by two weeks , sequel to some concessions they got from the Federal Government , which included temporary reversal, for 14 days , of the hike in electricity tariff .
Their decision is also sequel to the setting up of a tripartite technical committee ,to resolve the issues for the proposed action in two weeks
The committee according to the Minister of Labour and Employment , Chief Chris Ngige ,in a Communiqué jointly issued by the parties , said it is to examine the justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost reflective tariff.
It is also to look at the different Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) and their different electricity tariff ‘vis-à-vis NERC’s order and mandate.
In his remark, Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said that both the government and organised labour have looked into the issue of fuel price hike and what was needed to be put in place in order to address the issue of the increase.
The NLC President disclosed that it has been agreed jointly to suspend the strike as well as to also put the committee in place to work out lasting solution in addressing the challenges, including the issue of metering and importantly also is to bring about the issue of efficiency.
He stated that the state of the refineries and how to achieve a sustainable refineries , the issue of the tariff hike , as well as the matter concerning privatisation and others ,such as clear palliatives that were needed to be extended to the workers and Nigerians to cushion the effect of these policies were also discussed.
Wabba said the labour hopes that the communique will be implemented adding that it will convey the Labour Central Working Committee and convey the Communique to them.
Also, Mr Quadiri Olaleye, TUC president noted that based on the agreement signed between the government and the labour, the planned industrial action would be suspended for two weeks adding that the proposed strike was to draw the attention of the government to certain issues.
Ngige, on the issue of the downstream sector deregulation, said all parties agreed on the need to expand the local refining capacity of the nation to reduce the over dependency on importation of petroleum products.
He said NNPC was directed to expedite the rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and to achieve 50 per cent completion for Port Harcourt by December 2021, while timelines and delivery for Warri and Kaduna will be established by the inclusive Steering Committee.
According to him, the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) will be integrated into the Steering Committee already established by the Corporation.
Ngige said , the Federal Government and its agencies are to ensure delivery of one million CNG/LPG AutoGas conversion kits, storage skids and dispensing units under the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme by December 2021 to enable delivery of cheaper transportation and power fuel.
The Minister also disclosed, on the issue of general intervention ,that the government will facilitate the removal of tax on minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest vulnerable.
He said the Federal Government would give the labour unions 133 CNG/LPG driven mass transit buses immediately and ‘provide to the major cities across the Country on a scale up basis, thereafter to all States and Local Governments before December 2021.’
According to him, 10 per cent of the ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance housing initiative would be allocated to Nigerian workers under the NLC and TUC.
Ngige stated that a specific amount is to be unveiled by the Federal Government in two weeks’ time, which will be isolated from the Economic Sustainability Programme Intervention Fund that can be accessed by Nigerian Workers with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC.
“The technical committee membership included Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State Labour and Employment, as chairman, Mr Godwin Jedy-Agba, Minister of State Power, Mr James Momoh, Chairman National Electricity Regulatory Commission,
“Others were Mr Ahmad Rufai Zakari, SA to Mr President on Infrastructure, Dr Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen, Member, NLC, Mr Joe Ajaero NLC, Mr Chris Okonkwo, TUC and a representative of DISCOS.”
