Connect with us

Politics

Pending strike: Desperate, FG sends texts to labour for dialogue

Published

on

In a desperate move to avert the proposed strike by labour unions in the country over the new price of petrol, the federal government yesterday sent out text messages to labour leaders calling for a meeting to discuss the issues.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba confirmed the development, saying they received a text message from an official of the Federal Ministry of Labour, and that labour is ready to discuss as soon as a letter of invitation is sent.

“I saw a text message from a director in the Federal Ministry of Labour proposing a meeting. But we are waiting to receive a formal letter because you cannot rely on a text message. I received the text message that there will be a meeting, but I know there will be a formal letter. In the text, they said there will be a formal letter to us tomorrow (Monday) morning. So, once there is a letter, we will have some discussions.”

Read also: N16.5bn subsidy claims threaten FG, oil marketers’ romance

He said: “When we receive a formal notice, we will be there. We are ready for discussion and we are not running away from any discussion. You know also that every issue must be addressed on the round table where we can put all the parties together and all the arguments. So, anytime we receive notice of meeting, we will make ourselves available.”

The meeting it was gathered, is being called by the Office to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and will also be attended by ministers.

Also, the House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to brief it today on the hike in the price of petrol from N86.5 to N145.

The House at the weekend summoned an emergency closed-down session to hear from the minister before taking a position on the issue.

Though the leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila who was at the stakeholders’ meeting held before the announcement of the decision, rationalized that the decision was in the best interest of the nation, some lawmakers argue that the House ought to debate the issue.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now