Breaking: NLC Suspends Protest; Opt For Further Constructive Engagement With Government.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC has opted for further constructive engagement with government, to resolve all outstanding issues affecting workers and Nigerians in general.
In a letter signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and TUC President, Comrade Festus Usifo, and made available to NIM, the NLC appreciated workers for their massive solidarity and support, even in the face of intimidation and blackmail from agents of government.
The letter titled ” You Have Spoken Loudly Nigerians; It Resonated And Resounded” the body said through the protest, workers sent a strong message to those occupying various positions, and urged all to remain vigilant as they awaited the response of government through the National Assembly, as assured by their representatives during the protest.
” We want to appreciate the massive solidarity and support of the Nigerian people who thronged the various venues around the country in their numbers despite intimidations and blackmails by agents of government and forces of retrogression to discourage them from joining the nationwide protest which was called to ventilate citizens outrage at the anti-poor and anti-peoples’ policies of the government. Our hats are doffed at your determination and commitment to saving ourselves and indeed the nation from those whose only interest is to foist continuous deprivation and suffering on Nigerians” the statement says.
“The message you have sent today is a strong demonstration of our collective resolve as patriots and owners of the sovereign will to demand that those who occupies the corridors of power must listen to us. You have sent a very strong, loud and clear signal to those occupying the various government houses be it at the federal or state that the people remain the sovereign and the barometer for measuring that resides with the trade union movement who have continued to be the bastion of that collective will.
The NLC and TUC also appreciates the timely intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly for their pledge to resolving the issues raised by the Nigerian people and for their deep understanding of the need for Government to provide quick wins as succor with short timelines to ameliorate the consequences of the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on the citizenry.
Having demonstrated our collective resolve through the strong signal we sent today across Nigeria, we urge vigilance on the part of all workers and masses to protect our nation and our decisions while we await the response of the Government through the National Assembly as was assured by their representatives during the protest” it added.
He informed Nigerians that the NLC had received a court order, purporting the charge of Contempt of Court, adding that all Nigerian workers would resume at the court sittings wherever there may be across the nation, to hear the contempt proceedings against the leadership of the trade Unions.
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It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the extent of the success of the protest is underlined by the request of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria; Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu to meet with the leadership of the NLC and TUC in a closed-door session. The engagement was fruitful that immense mileage was gotten with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest viz;
- He committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders 2. He let out a certainty that the Port Harcourt Refinery will commence
production by December this year.
- He pledged to ensure that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately.
- He promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week.
On the strength of the President’s pledge and commitment, we have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation. Once again, we thank Nigerians while we wait for the Government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency; the President.
To further show our collective resolve, All Nigerian workers will resume at the Courts wherever they may be across the nation on the days of the Court sittings to hear the contempt proceedings against the leaders of trade unions. The Airports, the Seaports, the Hospitals, Schools; all public and private sector workers will all appear in Court across the nation in response to the Contempt charges.
Once again, we look forward to the continuing support of all Nigerians and workers around the country as we continue in this struggle for freedom from the clutches of oppression and impoverishment. We must remain unwavering and together refusing to allow them divide us so that collectively, we will build a nation where, no one will be considered too small to be left behind”.
While calling for the continual support of the people, he reiterated the commitment and focus of the Labour leadership in protecting the interest and welfare of workers.
President Tinubu had assured the labour leaders at the meeting that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence production by December, and to ensure that agreement on wage awards for workers immediately, while also promising to unveil a workable roadmap for the CNG alternative next week.
It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the extent of the success of the protest is underlined by the request of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria; Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu to meet with the leadership of the NLC and TUC in a closed-door session. The engagement was fruitful that immense mileage was gotten with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest viz;
- He committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders 2. He let out a certainty that the Port Harcourt Refinery will commence production by December this year.
- He pledged to ensure that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately.
- He promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week.
On the strength of the President’s pledge and commitment, we have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation. Once again, we thank Nigerians while we wait for the Government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency; the President.
The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), was led by its President, Joe Ajaero, while Festus Usifo led the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
NIM