The federal government has assured the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of resuming the payment of wage award
to workers this week.
Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka
Onyejeocha, gave the assurance in Abuja at a meeting with the leadership of the
two labour centres, says a statement issued by her spokesperson, Mr Olajide
Oshundun on Tuesday.
According to Oshundun, the minister summoned the meeting
on account of the labour bodies’ ultimatum to government on the implementation
of the 16-point agreement reached with them on 2nd October, 2023.
Onyejeocha appealed to the labour organisations to withdraw
their 14-day ultimatum, as government had stepped up efforts to complete the
implementation of that agreement.
She said: “It is true we
entered into an agreement, but the government has shown good faith, and
considering the urgency of the issue at hand, I called this meeting because
dialogue has always been the best way out, and we are all for the well-being of
our people. I am here to show good cause on why some agreement has not been
met.’’
Onyejeocha noted that while the reaction of the Labour
organisations was not unwarranted in the face of government’s non-completion of
the agreement, but bearing in mind that some items in the agreement could only
be achieved in stages, she hoped that the discussion would lead to the
rescinding of the ultimatum by labour.
She assured them of the President’s sincerity of purpose
and unflinching dedication to the implementation of that agreement, adding that
he would leave no stone unturned to satisfy the demands of the labour
organisations.
“I plead with you to sheath your sword. We have been
showing good faith; it is just that it is not commensurate with your
expectations; but I promise you that we will surpass your expectation this
time, and I believe that everything will go well,” she said.
On the CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses, programme
director and chief executive of the Presidential CNG initiative, Michael
Oluwagbemi, who addressed the meeting virtually, stated that the government had
made 70% payment for the procurement of new CNG buses and CNG kits. He said
while some of the buses are ready, they expect to start assembling others
locally including the tricycles between March and April 2024.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, enjoined the Federal Government
to be committed to beating the deadline of the 14-day ultimatum, which started
on 9th February 2024, by ensuring the implementation of that agreement.
Ajaero declared their resolve to stand by their ultimatum, and stated that every party to the agreement should endeavour to live up to expectation for the interest of Nigerians and the government.According to him, the organised labour would fulfil its part of the bargain, so long as the federal government would do same.
The First Deputy President of TUC, Dr Tommy Okon, also
echoed Ajeoro’s concerns, and criticised the government’s gradual approach to
the implementation of the signed agreement.
He said: “We have a lot of respect for you, Hon. Minister,
that’s why we are here. We don’t need to beg government to do what is right.
Let me tell you, we, the organised labour, are the ones managing crisis in this
country for the government; if not, we wouldn’t be here today discussing these
issues.”
The meeting agreed on an immediate joint inspection visit
to the Port Harcourt Refinery for Labour to confirm the reported progress made
in getting the refinery back to operation.
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