THE GUARDIAN
Spoiling for war ahead of its proposed industrial action on Wednesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday, shunned the meeting with the Federal Government delegation held at the Presidential Villa, stating that there would be no discussion unless the government returns the price of fuel to its previous rate.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, told The Guardian yesterday that until the Federal Government obeys the Appropriation Act of 2023, which makes provision for subsidy till the end of June, Congress will boycott the meetings with the government.
He said: “We have boycotted the meeting until they revert. There is no point meeting with people who do not have the mandate when what they are doing is illegal, because the Appropriation Act of 2023 has not been obeyed, which makes provision for subsidy till the end of June.
“So, we cannot sit to negotiate. Let them revert so that we all can freely negotiate over the issues raised. In our meeting with them last Wednesday, we asked them to revert. NNPC acknowledged that the high rate was not official, but how come they adjusted pump meters across the federation? It was a negotiation not based on good faith.”
President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo, had told journalists after the first meeting that the government must return to the old price of petrol, or workers will embark on a nationwide strike slated to commence on Wednesday.
At the resumed meeting yesterday evening, Osifo led TUC representatives to lock horns with the Federal Government delegation over the vexed issue of petrol subsidy removal…
