Four days to deadline, subsidy palliative panel yet to meet, prepare report
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Hard up citizens are yet to hear of or see anything on the ground, four days to the two months’ deadline President Bola Tinubu gave for his Palliative Committee to submit recommendations on how to ameliorate the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Labour sources lamented the sub-committees set up to facilitate delivery of relief have never met since they were inaugurated.
A member of the committee on cost of governance and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Deputy President Tommy Okon also confirmed nothing has happened since the last meeting Tinubu had with organised labour,
The meeting led to the suspension of protests and withdrawal of contempt charges against Labour leaders by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“We are still waiting. Nothing has been heard from the government. The protest was suspended because Mr. President intervened, and the planned nationwide strike was also called off, since the Ministry of Justice withdrew the contempt charges,” he said.
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Abuja lacks preparation for delivery
“The effect of the removal of fuel subsidy is still lingering. The masses are suffering, salaries of workers have remained static, and the government has not done anything to that effect,” Okon added, per The Guardian.
“Organised labour gave the government an ultimatum, which expires on August 19, and it is fast approaching, and nothing seems to be done.
“It shows that the government was not prepared. Any government that is prepared to take care of responsibilities, which also has it in mind that there is going to be removal of fuel subsidy, is supposed to put machinery in motion to cushion effects.”
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero has accused the federal government of failing to ensure safeguards to protect Nigerians from harsh economic situations inflicted by its policies.
He alleged the government frustrated and abandoned its committee, which was a product of dialogue between government and labour unions.
Ajaero said even as the committee has not met, the government embarked on unilateral actions and programmes which destabilised the peace of mind of workers.
