…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media. Officials from the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu and representatives of Organised Labour are currently holding a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The purpose of this meeting is to resume negotiations and discussions regarding the measures that can be taken to alleviate the adverse effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Continuation of Negotiations and Suspension of Strike
This meeting serves as a follow-up to the previous session where certain agreements were reached between the government and the Labour unions.
As a result of these agreements, the Labour unions agreed to suspend their planned strike until further talks, which are scheduled for today.
Addressing Labour’s Demands and Proposed Palliatives
The primary objective of this meeting is to address the demands put forth by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Additionally, the government will present its proposed palliative measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the subsidy removal.
During the course of the meeting, decisions will be made regarding these demands and proposed solutions.
Attendance at the Meeting
Several key individuals and representatives are present at this meeting.
The delegation of the NLC, led by President Joe Ajaero, and the TUC delegation, led by President Festus Osifo, are participating in the discussions.
Additionally, other notable attendees include Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Special Adviser for Revenue, Zachaeus Adedeji; Special Adviser for Energy, Olu Verheijen; and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachallom Daju.
Representatives from Relevant Agencies
Apart from the government officials and Labour representatives, representatives from various relevant agencies are also in attendance.
These include the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe; and the CEO of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, among others.