We’ll Engage NLC On Fuel Subsidy – Govs
- Deny role in FG’s proposed action
BY EDMOND ODOK – In a deft move to check the threat posed by the Organised Labour planned nationwide action, the 36 State Governors have agreed to engage the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the proposed fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Acting under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Thursday, the Governors said engaging the NLC on the issue has become imperative because as stakeholders, they must be involved in arriving at a conclusion of ensuring Nigerians would not be worst off at the end of the day.
This is as the Forum denied playing any role in the planned removal of subsidy, stressing that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is now a private concern that cannot be dictated to on how to run its affairs and carry out its activities.
According to the Forum Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; “The forum also discussed the issue around petroleum subsidy and concluded to engage the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on how best to address this issue without causing any disaffection.”
Governor Fayemi, who spoke to journalists after the governors’ meeting, said decision to engage the Labour Movement was informed by the need to avoid disruptions and salvage the Nigerian economy from suffering any damage amid the current global hassles cause by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So we shall be engaging the Nigerian Labour Congress, as sub national leaders and with a view to ensuring that the outcome of our engagement will also be fed into the national discourse”, he assured.
