A meeting between the federal government delegation and the Nigeria Labour Congress over the removal of subsidy on petrol is underway in Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria.
The first meeting held on the subsidy removal five days ago had ended in a deadlock therefore making the outcome of today’s meeting crucial.
During his inauguration speech on May 29, President Bola Tinubu had said “petrol subsidy is gone”.
The president’s pronouncement immediately led to a resurfacing of long queues at gas stations and a hike in the pump price of the product across the country.
President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, had told state house correspondents after the first meeting that government must return to the old price of petrol or workers will embark on a nationwide strike billed to commence next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) had in a memo dated June 2, and signed by its general secretary, Dominic Igwebike, also announced that its members will join the strike.
The federal government representatives at the last meeting included Dele Alake, spokesperson for the government’s delegation; Group CEO of NNPCL Mele Kyari; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele; and Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo state.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu will also meet with APC senators-elect, house of reps members-elect, and APC national working committee (NWC) members today at 7:00pm, at the presidential villa.
