The organised labour has kicked against the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria and insists on its restoration.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, made its position known in a meeting the Federal Government and it’s leaders at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja.
Dele Alake, who spoke for the government told newsmen after the meeting that it was a robust engagement but the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said Labour remained resolute on its demand for the return of subsidy, which the new President.
“We had a very robust engagement. We cross-fertilized ideas, ideas flew from all sides and there is one thing that is remarkable even from the Labour side and that is Nigeria. We are all looking at the progress and stability of Nigeria. That is what is paramount,” Alake said.
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“We cannot go into any details now because talks are still ongoing. We cannot finish everything at on sitting. So, we have adjourned now, we are continuing the talks at a later day very very shortly.
“The point is that talks are ongoing and it’s always better for all sides to keep talking with a view to arriving at a very amicable resolution that will be in the longer term interest of all Nigerians. That is as much as we can say now.”
However, in a separate interaction with newsmen, Ajaero said the meeting be ended without consensus.
He said: “I wouldnt know what was communicated to you as an outcome of the meeting. As far as Labour is concerned, we didn’t have a consensus in this meeting,” insisting on a return to the status quo.
“That’s one principle of negotiation. You don’t ask the partner to negotiate under gunpoint.”
On what they NLC wants, Ajaero said: “The prayer of NLC is that we go back to status quo, negotiate, think of alternatives and all the effects and how to manage the effects this action is going to be on the people, it is an action that must take off.”
On whether the status quo is the restoration of subsidy, the NLC leader stated: “Well, the subsidy provision has been made up to the end of June and before then, conscious people, Labour management, government to be able to think of what to happen at the end of June. You don’t start it before the time.”
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While noting that there is no dogma about subsidy, Ajaero wondered why government cannot respect the sanctity of the law that provided for the expenditure up till the end of June.
“Is there any country that does not subsidise living of people even if you’ve been providing public transportation? Those are issues we’re looking at.
“If you are a major producer of crude and you refine abroad, you carry the crude abroad and refine and bring it, definitely there’ll be a difference in the price and that’s what they’re paying.”
Ajaero also wondered why government would announce new pump price on the same day a meeting would be called to discuss subsidy.
“That’s what we are saying. It is not because there is any dogma on subsidy. No. But we should converse in a free environment and atmosphere and arrive at a decision.
“If we agree for a meeting by 2pm today and in the morning, you come up with price modulation, how can you fix price in a deregulated market?”
Also speaking, the President of Trade Union Congress (TUC) said the unions will go and consult with their members before deciding on the next meeting with government.
