By Eberechi Obinagwam
Following the planned action strike and protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), effective from tomorrow, September 28, Governors of the 36 states of the federation under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have pleaded for more time to consult various stakeholders, including the President.
Chairman of the NGF, and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, in a meeting held yesterday at his residence in Abuja, stated that no one would disagree with the labour and it’s demands considering the prevailing issues going on in the country, hence plead that more time be given to governors to consult more broadly with the various stakeholders, President, Vice president, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
He emphasised that the plight of workers in the country was already in dire straits and that any action embarked upon by the union at this time would further worsen their situation.
In a communique released by the NGF secretariat, the governors said the purpose of the meeting was to resolve the impasse occasioned by the threat made by workers to embark on industrial action, if the Federal Government failed to rescind the recent decisions to increase the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) and electricity tariff in the country.
The chairman explained that governors decided to wade into the ongoing negotiations with a view to broadening consultations and assist to bring the impasse to an end, and thus avert the impending strike.
He assured that the issue would be top priority for the NGF and promised to meet with key stakeholders immediately, expressing hope that this gesture from the governors would also energise the leadership of labour to put a hold on their planned action.
Earlier on Tuesday, the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba said that decision of the planned strike was unanimously taken by the chairmen of the 36 states and FCT of the NLC.
He said the National Executive Council also observed that the privatisation of electricity sub sectors, seven years down the line have not yielded any positive results, adding that, NEC concluded that the entire privatisation process has failed and the electricity hike is actually a process of continued exploitation of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Kebbi State councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have affirmed the decision of their parent bodies to embark on nationwide industrial action tomorrow In their resolution.
The two labour groups stated that airport and road transport workers including motorcyclists as well as civil servants would stay off their duties until the Federal Government reverses prices of petrol and electricity tariff.
Confirming their resolution, Chairman of NLC in Kebbi State, Comrade Umar Halidu Alhassan, disclosed that they have confirmed the position of their respective national headquarters to embark on industrial action at their SEC meeting, held at the Labour House, Birnin Kebbi.