The meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) regarding the removal of fuel subsidy has concluded without a conclusion being reached.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the meeting, which was held at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, saw representatives from both sides engaging in discussions for several hours.
The Federal Government was represented by figures including Dele Alake, the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, and Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. Also present were the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
On the other side, the Organised Labour was represented by NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, and the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo.
Following the lengthy discussions, the NLC insisted that the Federal Government should revert to the status quo by reversing the fuel price before further negotiations can take place.
Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, criticised the removal of the subsidy, emphasising the need to protect the Nigerian workforce and explore alternative solutions.
The NLC expressed its dissatisfaction, stating that the Federal Government did not engage in any meaningful conversations regarding palliative measures for Nigerians.
The union announced its intention to reconvene with its members to determine the next course of action.
In contrast, Dele Alake described the meeting as robust and expressed optimism that discussions would continue.
He hoped that a reasonable conclusion would be reached during the next adjourned meeting.
Recall that during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Monday, President Bola Tinubu declared an end to the era of fuel subsidy payment.
With no provision for fuel subsidy in the 2023 budget, President Tinubu deemed further payments unjustifiable, proclaiming, “The fuel subsidy is gone.”
