Nigerian govt, NLC to meet over fuel subsidy removal
The Federal Government will meet with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over the planned removal of fuel subsidy.
The president of the NLC, Joe Ajeaero, who disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV said the meeting would hold at 2pm today [Wednesday].
“The government seems to have shown interest in the discussion. As at last night, they reached out and we have fixed 2pm today [Wednesday] to commence discussion,” Mr Ajaero said.
“There, all other issues will be discussed because you can’t just say there is no subsidy and then you are not producing and leave us to the vagaries of the market, to people who want to sell the product they bought at N10 for N100 to maximise profit. If there is no more garri, we must find out what to eat.”
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He explained that even if the intentions of the president are good, alternatives must be provided.
He said the president should have asked questions and find out the implications of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians on the streets.
The NLC boss listed the alternatives to include the repair of the nation’s four refineries, provision of transportation of alternatives for the Nigerian workers, amongst others.
“The pronouncement by Mr President is as good as law and if in the process we make a law that is not practicable, the same people that made the law can look at it,” Mr Ajaero said while calling for a review of the president’s pronouncement.
“Does it bring pleasure to us to say subsidy is gone and people start suffering? Is it not part of leadership for us to look at how the suffering of the people can be reduced?”
