The twin desires of salary increment and reversal of price of petroleum by Nigerian workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are likely heading to the woods as Lai Mohammed, minister for information, has said that the federal government is not disposed to increasing workers’ salaries as being demanded by the workers’ unions.
Also, the NLC’s call for nationwide strike on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 as strategy to compel the federal government to reverse the price of fuel may likely still fail following mass unwillingness of many unions to join in the strike and the protracted call by members of the national assembly and other stakeholders for the labour leaders to shelve the planned industrial action.
Alhaji Mohammed told journalists in Abuja on Monday, May 16, 2016 that labour should forget the call for increase in minimum wage, saying with the economic situation in the country, the possibility of upward review of minimum wage is not being considered.
The Union reports that the stark reality was made bare to journalists during the minister’s sensitization campaign on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the nation’s petroleum industry.
According to him, salary increment is not possible for now as the country is losing over 60 percent of earnings on daily basis.
The minister organized the media chat as part of the federal government’s move to douse the growing tension over the increase in the price of fuel, a situation which is hitting hard on the living condition of many Nigerians.
He said four companies have successfully bided for the establishment of four modular refineries in the country, noting that the four names will soon be released to enable them begin operation.
He assured that when fully operational, Nigeria will be able to refine 650,000 barrels per day of petrol from the refineries while Dangote Refinery will also add 750,000 barrels per day, to make Nigeria to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
The minister, who noted that federal government has meticulously followed the process for approving the bid winners, said the ventures will help create over 200,000 jobs as well as stimulate the economy.
