BY MARY KUYE
The Federal Government and the organised labour have fixed their next meeting for December 7 to resolve the issue of pump price hike and electricity tariff increment.
Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, disclosed this while briefing the media after a meeting between the government side and the organised labour, on Thursday night at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
He said the message of the labour at the meeting was very clear that they want the reversal of the recent fuel price increase.
”The meeting agreed to adjourn for one week to let the government team do all the needed consultations on the matter,” Ngige said.
His words: “By Monday, December 7, we will come back, because the message from the organised labour is clear. They want a reversal of the pump price to what it was. So, the government side will take it back to our principals.
“Even though the government is not fixing the price of PMS anymore because it is deregulated, it is part of the economy. So, the government side will consult anybody that needs to be consulted.
“We will consult the President as the Minister of Petroleum and then, the Economic Management team because funds are involved.
“Everybody is happy with the situation in the electricity industry for now because there is a committee working on it, headed by Minister of State for Labour and Employment.”
According to a statement from Ngige Media office on Friday, the committee already has an interim report and would avail itself of opportunity next week to pay field visits to the different distribution companies and then come back with a more comprehensive report within the time available.
The President of the Trade Union Congress, Quadri Olaleye, said the organised labour wants the government to reverse the last fuel price increase, which occurred while the two sides were already on the negotiation table.
Olaleye said the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation requested during the meeting for one week to hold consultations with his principals and the organised labour acceded to his request.
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“We want to reach an agreement that would move the country forward, and especially satisfy the expectations of the Nigerian workers,” he stated.
The Deputy National President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajero, stood in for the President, Ayuba Wabba, who was absent.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, thanked the organised labour for “putting the nation first.”