The Nigeria Labour Congress has
suspended the indefinite strike it called to protest the increase in the
pump price of petrol from N86 and N86.50k to N145.
The decision to suspend the strike was taken at an emergency meeting of the NLC National Executive Committee in Abuja on Sunday.
The NEC also resolved to resume
negotiation with the government on the issue of the increase in
electricity tariff and the 45 per cent increase in the pump price of
petrol.
The President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba
Wabba, who read the communique of the meeting to the newsmen in Abuja on
Sunday, did not give a specific date for the expected talks with the
government on the two contentious issues.
The communique he jointly signed with
the General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, was silent on the date for
the commencement of the negotiation.
Wabba said the NLC had to suspend the
strike because of the intervention of prominent Nigerians, especially
the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu, and others.
The NLC President told journalists that
it was not possible for the NLC to ignore the intervention of prominent
Nigerians who were also concerned about the issue at stake.
He stated that the suspension of the
strike was not informed by the comment of the Minister of Labour and
Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, that the Federal Government could only
resume talks with the NLC when the strike was suspended.
Wabba added, “We said we have suspended
due to the intervention of those who had intervened. It is left for them
to invite and create a platform to discuss that.
“It is not the Minister of Labour we are
talking about, my friend; we are talking about the leaders of the party
who came to the NLC secretariat.
“Or do you think we should just sweep
that under the carpet; we cannot sweep all that under the carpet. So,
when we are talking about people who intervened, we should look at the
fact that they have also shown concern on the issue.”
While reading from the communique, Wabba
said the action was suspended with immediate effect after due
consultations with the various constituents of the congress.
He stated that the NLC was committed to dialogue in accordance with standard principles of representation.
The NLC president added, “In
consideration of the above, NEC after due consultation with its
constituents, resolved to suspend, with immediate effect, the action it
commenced on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The action is thus hereby
suspended.
“Congress will resume negotiations with
government on the twin issues of the hike in electricity tariff and an
increase in the pump price of petroleum products and any other issue
that may arise thereof.
“The Congress will continue to resist
wrong legislation, policies and programmes and will always act in the
best interest of Nigerians as it remains the only pan-Nigerian
organisation not affected by religion, region, creed, partisanship or
primordial sentiments.
“The Congress urges the government to
play by the rules in its engagement with its constituent parts,
stakeholders and non-state actors as proof of its commitment to
deepening our democracy and also in acknowledgment of the well-worn
credo that what goes around, comes around.”