Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Federal Government on Monday resumed negotiations with organised labour presented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on measures to take to alleviate the suffering associated with the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

NLC and TUC a fortnight ago had suspended its planned nationwide indefinite strike action to protest last month’s withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

The meeting was suspended after meeting with representatives of government at the State House, Abuja. 

Speaking to State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, said a steering committee has been set up, alongside technical committees that will help achieve the planned palliatives for Nigerians.

He said: “As we promised the last time we met; when labour called off their planned strike, we held a meeting today. We went through all the demands that labour had tabled, that is government and the labour unions and the last time, they said they were going to go back to their executives and make consultations so that we reconvene today.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to kickstart the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of subsidy removal on the people.

This was disclosed by Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, while briefing State House Correspondents after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

The marketers announced their intention to donate 50 to 100 mass transit (at the cost of about N10 billion) buses as a way to support the initiative to succeed, calling on other well meaning corporate bodies can do the same.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, announcing the council's role in transforming Nigeria's economic fortunes. The inauguration came a week after Tinubu directed the NEC to meet to address the effects of the petroleum subsidy. The NEC is responsible for promoting economic growth and development, focusing on job creation, food security, and poverty reduction. The administration has also highlighted eight priority areas, including security, economy, jobs, agriculture, and infrastructure. The NEC meetings have been productive and have produced key outcomes, resolutions, and recommendations into brilliant government policies. Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigerians to harness the growth potential and bring about serious development, stating that collaboration is not a crime. The council meets monthly and has the flexibility to develop infrastructure within local government areas.