Labour Congress has dragged Bola Tinubu over the fuel subsidy removal policy statement, urging him to be a president with a human face.
NewsOnline reports that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has expressed disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration policy statement on subsidy removal, saying that the President cannot unilaterally remove fuel subsidy.
“We were subsequently taken aback, even horrified, when he announced the withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products, if, by this, he means increases in pump price and the exploitation of the people by unregulated and exploitative deregulated prices, then it’s a joke taken too far,” TUC added.
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Contained in a reaction statement signed by the Congress’ National President and Secretary General, Comrade Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro, TUC said; “we were at first encouraged, by his pledge to lead as a servant of the people (and not as a ruler) and to always consult and dialogue, especially on key and knotty national issues.”
The Labour centre, however, expressed its disappointment that the President went on to announce an end to the fuel subsidy contrary to his pledge to always consult and dialogue with stakeholders on such issues important as fuel subsidy removal.
Trade Union Congress further said; “It is not for nothing the Buhari government pushed this to the new administration, but we expect the Tinubu government to be wise on such a sensitive issue and be more explicit in its pronouncement to avoid contradictory interpretation when comparing his written statement, what he said and the provision in 2023 appropriation act.
“We dare say that this is a very delicate issue that touches on the lives, if not very survival, of particularly the working people, hence ought to have been treated with the utmost caution, and should have been preceded by robust dialogue and consultation with, the representatives of the working people, including professionals, market people, students and the poor masses.
“Accordingly, we hereby demand that President Tinubu should tarry awhile to give room for robust dialogue and consultation and stakeholders engagement, just as he opined in his speech until all issues and questions – and there are a host of them! – to ensure that they are amicably considered and resolved. Nigerian Workers and indeed masses must not be made to suffer the inefficiency of successive governments.”
It also said; “We are also worried that in his speech President Tinubu failed to delve into or reveal his plans on how to tackle and address the issue of poor and unchecked deterioration in industrial relations, particularly in the education, health and judiciary sectors, often resulting in the prolonged strike and Industrial actions and their attendant adverse effects on society and the economy. A case in point is the current nationwide strike by JOHESU.
“If there was anything for the administration to hurriedly address from day one in office, it’s the abysmal N30,000 minimum wage that has since been eroded by the problematic monetary and fiscal policies of the government.
“The Labour Movement is open and ready to dialogue with the Tinubu administration on the fuel subsidy issue and we urge it in the interest of the country and its people not to dictate on such a matter or engage in manipulating the outcome of such consultations.”
On insecurity, the statement said; “TUC identifies with the new government’s declaration that it will defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten peace and stability. We suggest that in its promised review of our security architecture, a more robust method of defending the country by involving the mass of the people and empowering them to defend themselves when attacked by bandits and terrorists.
