The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, in the early hours of Monday, September 28, announced the suspension of its scheduled strike for today (Monday).
This pronouncement comes in the wake of an agreement reached with the Federal Government at a meeting which started at 8.30pm on Sunday and ended at 2:50am on Monday.
After a prolonged back-and-forth amongst the stakeholders regarding issues raised by the organised labour; the gathering agreed to suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments for two weeks.
In an interview with newsmen after the meeting; Olaleye revealed the signing of “a document to suspend the action for two weeks for the government to implement those things that we agreed in the agreement. So, we are suspending for two weeks.
“We don’t need a notice again to re-convene if there is a need to do that.”
Also, the parties agreed to set up a technical committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC.
This would be effective for a duration of two weeks effective September 28; to examine the justifications for the new policy “in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost-reflective tariff as a result of the conflicting information from the fields which appeared different from the data presented to justify the new policy by NERC; metering deployment, challenges, timeline for massive rollout.”
The members of the committee include the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) as Chairman; Minister of State Power, Godwin Jedy-Agba; Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission, James Momoh; Special Assistant to the President on Infrastructure, Ahmad Zakari as the Secretary.
Other members are Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen, Joe Ajaero (NLC), Chris Okonkwo (TUC) and a representative of electricity distribution companies.
According to the committee’s terms of reference analysed by 1st News, this includes;
– the justification for the new policy on cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments; to look at the different DISCOs and their different electricity tariff vis-à-vis NERC order and mandate. Also, to examine and advise government on issues that have hindered the deployment of the 6 million meters, among others.
“During the two weeks, the DISCOs shall suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments,” the communique noted.
Also, Labour and the FG agreed that provision for palliatives would be made for Nigerians. This is in order to mitigate the sufferings that Nigerian workers may experience; as a result of the hike in cost electricity tariffs and the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
Specifically, the palliatives will be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support.
Further, the meeting resolved that the 40 per cent stake of government in the DISCO; as well as the stake of workers should be reflected in the composition of the DISCO’s boards.
It agreed that “an all-inclusive and independent review of the power sector operations as provided in the privatization MoU; be undertaken before the end of the year 2020, with labour represented.
“All parties agreed on the urgency for increasing the local refining capacity of the nation to reduce the over-dependency on importation of petroleum products to ensure energy security, reduce cost of finished products, increase employment and business opportunities for Nigerians.”
Furthermore, the communique revealed that the rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries; located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna must be completed by December 2021.
“To ensure commitment and transparency to the processes and timelines of the rehabilitation exercise; the management of NNPC has offered to integrate the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association into the steering committee already established by the corporation,” the communique stated.
A governance structure that will include representatives of organized labour shall be established for timely delivery.
To cushion the impacts of the downstream sector deregulation and tariffs adjustment in the power sector; the FG agreed to announce in two weeks a specific amount to be accessed by workers; with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC for participation in agricultural ventures.
This will be processed through the Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture.
From 1st news.
Hmmmmmmm ........i am dumb founded indeed.
We know has e dey go
ReplyDeleteLeave those fools who are after their personal benefit only
ReplyDelete🙄🙄
ReplyDeleteMtchewww
ReplyDeleteWe been knew
ReplyDelete🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
DeleteOh No🤦♀️
ReplyDeleteI think it's the right thing to do since government is ready to listen to their demands and a process is ongoing for dialogue.
ReplyDeleteToothless dog.
ReplyDeleteI knew they'd chicken out.
Nonsense
labour has been reduced to a piece of trash under buhari.tufia
ReplyDeletetheir reputation precedes them,
ReplyDeletetake NLC serious at your own
detriment. once a toothless dogs
always a a toothless dogs.
There was once a labor leader called Adams Oshomo
ReplyDeleteHe became a governor, governor-god-father, poli-trickster,
Go and figure out
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜
Money don enter their account
ReplyDeleteI can smell Ghana must go bag... If only the same zeal as applied to bbn was applied here... Jokers
ReplyDeleteBut AEDC has already charged me the new rate. Pls i want my units o!!!
ReplyDeleteI commented about this trashy Nigerian Lazy Congress. They would have gotten more if they have protested about the fuel and electricity bill. They are sellouts but we don't need to come out en-mass to protest about the state of our Country.
ReplyDeleteSmh
ReplyDeleteNigerians i hail thee, so everything is about bribe, what do we expect from people that don't even know what they are saying, so strike should commence when the purpose of the strike is about to be achieved abi no be una go still suffer the strike action.
ReplyDeleteNawah oo
ReplyDeleteNa today ?
ReplyDelete