May Day: FG Makes U-Turn, Grants Workers Eagle Square For Celebration
Following the threat and resolve of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to hold its May Day celebration on the streets of Abuja, the Federal Government has quickly moved and rescinded its earlier decision to withdraw its approval of Eagle Square earlier granted the organised Labour for the workers’ Day celebration.
The latest position of the government was disclosed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who assured that the Workers Day celebration will take place at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Monday, May 1, 2023.
The NLC in a statement by its General Secretary also said that the May Day celebration will now take place at the Eagle Square as the Federal Government has rescinded its denial of the venue.
The Federal Government through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) last Friday withdrew the approval earlier granted the Labour organisations less than 72hours to the annual celebration of Workers’ Day.
The Federal Government latest position was contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun stating that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello had assured his Labour and Employment counterpart that the Eagle Square is available for the NLC and TUC to use on May 1, which is the workers day.
Ngige said that the 2023 May Day is the last in the life of the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari administration, adding that the NLC parade belongs to everybody, including the government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliate unions and members of the public.
In the words of the Minister; “The President, Ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. The Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals”.
The Labour Ministry’s statement states; “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC using the Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade, for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“On receiving the report, the Minister contacted his colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who blamed the development on some overzealous officials, acting without his authority, as well as minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.
“It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square, Merrs Julius Berger that informed the Transition Committee for the handover ceremony that they erected their equipment even before last Thursday when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event attended by the President.
“Consequently, the FCT Minister assured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the workers day”.
“All invited people should make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the diplomatic missions and the international partners,” it stated.
It further said that Ngige has been in touch with the leadership of organised Labour led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and has briefed them on these developments and equally extended the apologies of the Minister of FCT for the unintended embarrassment occasioned by the action of their officials who misinterpreted the general intention and work plan of one month of Messrs Julius Berger the company in charge of the renovation of the Eagle Square for the May 29 inauguration to also include the May 1, 2023.
“The FCT Administration has promised to give all necessary material support to make the event hitch free and successful, while the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment wishes all Nigerian Workers a blissful Workers day on May 1,” the Minister assured.
