Labour suspends protest, extends dialogue; Tinubu promises to deliver PH refinery in December

The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and that of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Festus Usifo, held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu Wednesday evening at the State House, Abuja.

Labour leaders, including the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Festus Usifo, have decided to halt further protests, according to the presidency.

The meeting took place immediately after the nationwide protest conducted by the unions.

The president of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, said Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu called for a meeting, and he was told frankly that “the committee that was proposed on the 19th of June had not made sufficient traction, and most of the input the Nigeria Labour Congress wanted has not come to pass.”

He further expressed that the NLC gave themselves an 8-week mandate that, from June 19th to August 19th, the entire issue would be dispensed with.

In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Osifo said they informed President Bola Tinubu that his broadcast was received but that the palliatives he offered were not far-reaching.

He said the timeline on some of those deliverables were not appealing because there is an urgent need for things to be done almost immediately. One of the things that can be almost immediately attended to is the issue of wages.

Osifo added that the issue of the non-functional refineries was brought up at the meeting with the president, and he assured them that by the end of the year, the refineries, at least the old Port Harcourt refinery, will become functional.

He complained that it was no longer the secretary to the government of the federation George Akume who was handling their negotiations but rather the chief of staff to the president Femi Gbajabiamila.

Making it clear, he said, “We don’t have any problem with the chief of staff personally, but we felt that the chief of staff is extremely busy, so the president should give us someone who will be ready and available so we can dispense with all these as soon as possible”.

The President of the TUC concluded the interview by saying that if the government does not hold up its end of the bargain, a series of meetings with all the Labour Union bodies will have to come together and conclude on the next line of action to push the government into action.

The Federal Government says the labour leaders have resolved to stop further protests following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu Wednesday evening at the State House, Abuja.

Minutes after the meeting, Dele Alake, outgoing Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Strategy, confirmed in a statement that the labour leaders have expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the issues raised by the labour movement.

They agreed to engage constructively with the government to resolve outstanding matters concerning the welfare of workers and Nigerians in general.

Meanwhile, 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 NNPCL and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.

Alake explained that President Tinubu has assured the labour leaders that the Port Harcourt refineries would resume production by December 2023, following the completion of rehabilitation work under a contract with Maire Tecnimont SpA, an Italian firm, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

See the full statement below:

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and that of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Festus Usifo, held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu Wednesday evening at the State House, Abuja.

Consequent upon the fruitful and frank discussion with President Tinubu and their confidence in his ability to encourage open and honest consideration of all the issues put forward by the Labour Movement, the Labour Leaders resolved to stop further protest.

They opted for further constructive engagement with the government to resolve all outstanding issues as they affect the working people and Nigerians in general.

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 NNPCL and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.

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.

Dele Alake
Special Adviser to the President

Special Duties, Communications & Strategy

August 3, 2023