APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and that of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Festus Usifo, have suspended further protests, following a successful meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja.
The union leaders opted for further constructive engagement with the government to resolve all outstanding issues as they affect the working people and Nigerians in general.
According to the report distributed by the APO Group on behalf of the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu gave his commitment to the Labour leaders that the Port Harcourt refineries will start production by December 2023 after the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between the NNPCL and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.
It added that President Tinubu assured the Labour leaders that he would continue to work for the best interest of Nigeria while pleading with the Labour leaders to join hands with him to birth a better and economically buoyant country.
Meanwhile, the national treasurer of the unions, Hakeem Ambali, said in a terse message on Thursday that “Protest suspended due to the Senate intervention and meeting with President Tinubu yesterday night.”
The Labour unions called out their members and Nigerians for a nationwide protest over the anti-people policies of the Nigerian government.
During the protests in Abuja on Wednesday, the angry protesters pulled down the gates of the National Assembly to gain access to the premises to meet with the lawmakers.
Before the meeting with the lawmakers and President Tinubu, the union leaders had vowed to continue with their protests and the planned strike action until there was a show of seriousness on the side of the government in meeting their demands, which include the payment of arrears of salaries of university teachers, rehabilitation of the refineries, upward review of minimum wage, review of the anti-people policies among others.
GIK/APA