Regarding the new petrol price regime, the Federal Government and Labour met yesterday.
Both government and labor officials attended the conference, which took place in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The meeting was held to discuss the implementation of the new pricing system and its potential impact on consumers. The discussions focused on finding a balance between ensuring fair prices for consumers and maintaining a sustainable revenue stream for the government.
It was discovered that, among other things, the conference covered the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative and the accompanying adjustment of the new minimum wage.
At the meeting, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) was represented, along with National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Deputy President Kabiru Ado Sani, General Secretary Emma Ugboaja, Dr. Tommy Okon, Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Secretary General Nuhu Toro, President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and a Deputy President of the NLC were among the labor representatives.
NLC Vice President Benjamin Anthony and NLC Deputy Women’s Leader Comrade Deborah Yusuf were also in attendance. The meeting focused on addressing the concerns of the labor unions regarding the recent increase in fuel prices and its impact on the Nigerian economy. The ministers assured the labor representatives of ongoing efforts to stabilize the oil and gas sector to prevent further price hikes.
The NLC had protested the increase in gas prices, calling for a change in course and branding the government as treacherous.
After the meeting, Idris spoke to the media and explained that it was just “normal engagement with labor to interact on national issues.”
According to him, tension does not necessarily need to exist before an interaction.
The administration wants to work with laborers all the time. One of these engagements is this one.
We’ll communicate with them in the future. We don’t wait to include Labor until there is conflict about anything,” he stated.
Nigerians were reassured by his counterpart in charge of budget and economic planning, Abubakar Bagudu, that their country’s economy is recovering despite present difficulties.
