ABUJA, Nigeria — The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, voiced significant concerns on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, regarding the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila’s capability to spearhead constructive discussions on the panel designed to address the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The remarks were made during Ajaero’s meeting with the leadership of the Senate, where he highlighted that the Wage Award Committee, established by President Bola Tinubu, had failed to convene even two months after its formation.
“Our primary challenge lies with the committee. It seems ill-equipped to address the issues at hand,” Ajaero expressed.
He reflected on previous interactions with the government, citing negotiations with past Secretaries to the Government of the Federation.
“Never before has a Chief of Staff to the President taken up such a prominent role in leading negotiations, especially one with pressing responsibilities,” he commented.
According to Ajaero, subsequent to the NLC’s protest, the administration had not made efforts to reconvene any further discussions.
The NLC President also emphasized the administration’s apparent apathy towards the welfare of Nigerian workers, especially concerning the fuel subsidy removal without providing any mitigation measures.
In an unexpected move that has further strained the government’s relationship with workers, fuel prices were raised to N617 per liter during ongoing deliberations around a price point of N537.
Addressing the proposed $800 million loan meant to offset the impact of the subsidy removal, Ajaero advised the federal government to exercise caution.
He emphasized the importance of having a well-thought-out disbursement plan, urging the government to refrain from replicating the questionable methods from 2019.
Responding to the concerns, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked the NLC and the Trade Union Congress for their patience.
He acknowledged that President Tinubu’s subsidy removal has saved N1 trillion, but also pointed out the inherited debt of over N30 trillion from the prior administration.
