Following threats to embark on a nationwide strike over the new fuel price, the Federal Government plans to hold talks with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal might lead the government’s team which will include some ministers, it was learnt last night.
The two Labour centres at the weekend gave a 72-day ultimatum to the federal government to reverse the new petrol price of N145 cap or face mass action including strike and lock outs.
A top official said yesterday that although the ultimatum is illegal, the Presidency will still give room for dialogue.
The source said: “The government is inviting the NLC and TUC leaders for dialogue on the new pump price.
“We will rather engage the labour unions than confronting them. Dialogue will allow them to appreciate why the government opted for the deregulation of the sector.
“The position of the Federal Government is that the ultimatum by the labour unions is illegal because it is not a trade dispute.
“It is about pricing. Why can’t they declare trade dispute when GSM operators came on board, charging as much as N30,000 per SIM card?
“Is the telecoms sector not better now with deregulation? This government will certainly not inflict pains on the masses.”
NLC President Ayuba Wabba said yesterday that Labour was not averse to dialogue.
According to him, the NLC has received a text message from an official of the Federal Ministry of Labour, and it is ready to discuss as soon as a letter of invitation is sent.
He said: “When we receive a formal notice, we will be there. We are ready for discussion and we are not running away from any discussion. You know also that every issue must be addressed on the round table where we can put all the parties together and all the arguments. So, anytime we receive notice of meeting, we will make ourselves available.
“I saw a text message from a director in the Federal Ministry of Labour proposing a meeting. But we are waiting to receive a formal letter because you cannot rely on a text message. I received the text message that there will be a meeting, but I know there will be a formal letter. In the text, they said there will be a formal letter to us tomorrow (Monday) morning. So, once there is a letter, we will have some discussions.”
Asked whether the meeting will take place in the ministry, Wabba said: “I don’t know where the meeting will take place. But anywhere they want us, we will make ourselves available. But I think the issue is at a higher level now. I am hoping on that. But at any level they want to engage us, we will be ready to engage the issues towards finding a lasting solution”.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, is expected to brief the House of Representatives today on the hike in the price of the petrol from N86.5 to N145.
The House at the weekend summoned an emergency closed-down session to hear from the nminister before taking a position on the issue.
Though the leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila who was at the stakeholders’ meeting held before the announcement of the decision , rationalized that the decision was in the best interest of the nation, some lawmakers argue that the House ought to debate the issue.
Speaker of the House Yakubu Dogara, had said on Thursday that the House will collectively take a decision on the matter when it comes before them in plenary to ensure that the overall interest of all parties involved are protected.
He had said: “We are the House of the people so we don’t judge. I do not want to come out with an opinion because I know that the matter, very soon, will come to the floor of the House of Representatives and as the presiding officer, I don’t want to give my opinion before that time.”
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