Parties seek to meet eight-week deadline for resolving subsidy-related issues

Representatives from the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) are scheduled to gather today in a crucial meeting. The primary objective is to make substantial headway in fulfilling the eight-week deadline set for concluding discussions on palliatives associated with the removal of petrol subsidy.

During their previous meeting held last week, the government and organized labor formed a Presidential Steering Committee entrusted with overseeing technical sub-committees focused on key matters. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, led the government’s delegation during the meeting, where they reached a consensus to address all concerns and demands raised by the labor unions within the stipulated eight-week timeframe.

Following the meeting, TUC President Festus Osifo, accompanied by NLC counterpart Joe Ajaero, spoke to reporters and announced that the parties would reconvene today to review the proposed framework. Negotiations would resume with the participation of five sub-committees specializing in Cash Transfers, the Social Investment Programme (SIP), the Cost of Governance, Energy, Mass Transit, and Housing.

Insiders suggest that since this marks the inaugural meeting of the steering committee, its purpose will be to officially approve the composition of the five sub-committees, enabling them to promptly initiate their work. Furthermore, during this agenda-setting session, a standardized framework for all sub-committees will be established, granting them the authority to adapt and expand their templates as needed. For instance, the cash transfer committee is expected to devise a framework for increasing government assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.

The SIP committee will address concerns related to social protection, pensions, housing, affordable education, improved healthcare access, and other interventions benefiting Nigerians. The energy committee will prioritize exploring alternative energy sources and reducing electricity tariffs.

When queried about the feasibility of completing the committees’ tasks within the specified eight-week period, a source admitted that it might be challenging. However, the source added, “I anticipate that the committees themselves will request an extension to ensure the delivery of benefits to Nigerians. Ultimately, we aim to break the cycle of exploitation and underdevelopment inflicted on Nigerians by the ruling elites.”

The source also disclosed that the NLC has placed particular emphasis on reviving Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to oil, aiming to prevent the ruling elites from utilizing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as a means of oppressing Nigerians.