The leadership of the Senate yesterday met with the organised labour at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, over the lingering issue of providing palliatives to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.
In attendance were the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and his counterpart of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo, who led their respective executives to the meeting.
The meeting is sequel to the Federal Government’s withdrawal of contempt of court proceedings against organised labour for embarking on a nationwide protest last week.
The withdrawal is contained in letter dated August 7, was addressed to the lead counsel to the NLC, Falana and Falana’s Chambers and signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs B.E. Jeddy-Agba.
The letter, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reads: “Kindly recall the exchange of correspondence between the Ministry and your office on the need for compliance with the extant court orders, restraining industrial action of any kind on the part of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
“The position of the Ministry was informed by the need to safeguard the integrity of the court and prevent avoidable service disruption or damage to public facilities.
“In spite of these exchanges/interventions, the labour unions on Aug. 2, proceeded with the industrial action through public protests.”
It also said the protest led to disruption of work and the eventual pulling down of the gate of the National Assembly.
“The foregoing, it said, prompted the Ministry to initiate contempt proceedings by filing Form 48 on the same 2nd August 2023 in accordance with Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act and Order 9 Rule 13 of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules.
“It is trite that issuance of Form 48 is just the starting point in contempt proceedings which will only crystalize upon the issuance of Form 49 and the consequential committal order.”
It noted that upon the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the decision of the labour unions to call-off their industrial action after meetings with the President and leadership of the National Assembly.
“The ministry did not proceed further with the contempt proceedings, which would have required the issuance of Form 49 within two days of the issuance of Form 48.
“It is self-evident that the non-issuance of Form 49 as at Aug. 4, renders the contempt proceedings inchoate.
“You may therefore wish to advise or guide the labour unions on the practice and procedure of contempt proceedings.
“Also, particularly to the effect that the issues or concerns raised by NLC in its communique on the proceedings, have been overtaken by events,” it said.
Although the President promised that he will restructure the mechanism of engagement with government to help things to be treated fast, we have not seen any improvement.
Meeting with Senate
Speaking at the meeting with the Senate leaders, NLC’s Joe Ajaero expressed concern over the ability of the Femi Gbajabiamila-led panel set up by President Bola Tinubu to negotiate with the workers on the matter, to handle the assignment.
He said: “Part of our challenge is the issue of the committee put in place. The Committee seems not to be capable. As a labour union, we have had a series of negotiations to resolve industrial disputes with government officials in the past.
“At no time had the Chief of Staff to the President who is always very busy called to negotiate or lead negotiations.
“The current development has delayed the issues. Since our protest, another meeting has not been reconvened.
“Although the President promised that he will restructure the mechanism of engagement with government to help things to be treated fast, we have not seen any improvement.
“We had agreed on wage award, and up till this moment the committee on wage award is yet to sit.”
He recalled that while Nigerians were still reeling from the impact of the sudden increase of the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol to N537 per litre and awaiting the modalities for the provision of palliatives, the price was hiked yet again to N620 per litre.
Besides, Ajaero added: “Nothing is yet to happen on the issue of $800million projected to be borrowed, we have not perfected the list of the people who will benefit from it.
“We should not follow the record that was used in 2019 because we have our doubts about that record. No indices have been put forward to dictate those that are termed poor.”
On his part, TUC’s Festus Osifo, urged the ruling class to practice what they preach and equally make the sacrifice they demanded of Nigerians, noting that the Federal Government’s interventions are not far-reaching.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended the unions for their patience and understanding to assist the government come up with strategies to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
He noted that: “Although the President has saved N1trillion as a result of fuel subsidy removal, this government inherited a broke country with debt of over N30 trillion.”
Nevertheless, he assured that the government was working hard to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians, adding that the Senate will partner with the labour unions to proffer lasting solutions to lingering trade disputes.
