Fuel Subsidy Removal: NLC accuses Gbajabiamila of delaying negotiations with FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government’s negotiation committee of failing to meet the demands of Nigerian workers amidst the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The committee, headed by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, faces criticism for its alleged inability to address the mounting concerns of organised labour.

The labour congress said the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is heading the negotiation team for the government, refused to hold meetings with them, causing delays in addressing the workers’ grievances.

NLC’s national president, Joe Ajaero, made this known during his meeting with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and other principal officers of the Senate at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

This meeting comes days after the National Assembly complex was visited by NLC members who were protesting the severe hardships brought on by the fuel subsidy removal.

The protesters demanded an immediate reversal of the subsidy removal to restore economic stability and alleviate the suffering of Nigerian citizens.

The Senate’s chief whip, Ali Ndume, pleaded for a seven-day ultimatum to allow the Senate to intervene and mediate the standoff between labour and the government.

However, tensions remain high, as Ajaero lamented that the demands of Nigerian workers are getting delayed because Gbajabiamila refuses to create time for the labour leaders to deliberate on the demands.

“Our challenge is the issue of the committee put in place. The committee seems not to be capable. As labour, we are done with negotiation and engagement with the government from the time of Ikaite, as SGF, Kingibe, Pius Ayim, and Boss Mustapha,” Ajaero said.

“At no time had the chief of staff to the president, who is very busy, called to negotiate or lead negotiations, and that has delayed the issues. After our protest, another meeting has not reconvened, though the president promised that he will restructure the mechanism of engagement with the government to help things to be treated fast.”

The labour leader also complained that the committee set up by Tinubu to discuss minimum wage increments has yet to gather to initiate discussions.

Ajaero urged the Senate to take an active role in urging the Federal Government to promptly distribute the ₦8,000 palliatives to the rightful beneficiaries.

He, however, called for the creation of a new data system to ensure that palliatives reach the most vulnerable households.

Responding to the labour leader’s concerns, Akpabio pledged that the Senate would intercede to ensure the federal government meets the demands of the Nigerian workforce.