The dialogue between the Federal Government and Organized Labour on the recent increases in the price of fuel and electricity tariff has been adjourned to a later date.

This is to allow the parties consult and streamline their positions for the overall interest of the public and the economy.

In a welcome address, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the dialogue was “to consider the state of the economy and events that have necessitated recent increases in electricity tariff and the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”

He said the meeting was hinged on Federal Government’s desire for Nigerians to show unity of purpose in the quest for solutions to the Socio-Economic challenges induced by COVID-19. 

“Our society is undergoing socio-economic transition due to upheavals caused by COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected price stability and major means of production. It has therefore become very cogent that we gather as one entity in unity and understanding to forge a social pact or social concertation to enable us reconcile our economic growth and realize a sustainable development built on social cohesion”, he said.

Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, said the Federal Government’s policy directions had always been propelled by the desire to bring succor to the very vulnerable in the society.

He said the dialogue was to enlighten and engage Labour on the reason behind the recent increases in price of PMS and electricity tariff.

The concern of the Organized Labour was centred on the negative impact of Government policies on increases in price on the socio-economic well-being of Nigerian workers, as well as the citizens in the lowest rung of the economic ladder. 

The Unions argued that for the Nigerian workers, the increases had effectively eroded the value of the new national minimum wage.

Stating their readiness to partner with government in fashioning out solutions to the challenges created by COVID-19, the Organised Labour sought to know the strategies Government had put in place to counteract the negative effects of these policies on the common man.

Organized Labour urged Government to always involve the Organized Labour in policy formulation, and at all times consider the challenges posed by its policy pronouncements. 

The presentations by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), James A. Momoh on the reasons behind the policies are expected to guide the Organized Labour in properly understanding the push for the policies.

At the dialogue on the government side were Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari; Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, Abdulkadir Saidu; representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Infrastructure, among others.

On the Organized Labour side were, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba; President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Quadri Olaleye; President, United Labour Congress (ULC), Comrade Joe Ajaero; Executive officers from Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), among other labour unions.