Post-Subsidy Talks: Reps Vow to Protect Vulnerable Nigerians

Ahead of the planned strike by labour unions, the House of Representatives has promised to protect vulnerable Nigerians.

The House made this known on Sunday through the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Remi.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and affiliated unions are currently preparing for a potential nationwide strike, following the end of a 21-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government.

The unions demanded the provision of palliatives to alleviate the impact of the recent fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu.

Following this, the organised labour embarked on a 2-day warning strike and protests to emphasise their demands.

During the protests, the leadership of the NLC and Trade Union marched to the National Assembly.

The Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), thereafter met with the protesting labour unions, and pleaded with them to call off the nationwide protest and give the Senate one week to intervene.

After the protest, the National Assembly moved a motion to resolve the crisis by meeting with both the Federal Government and the labour unions.

About a month ago, the leadership of the Senate, led by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, met with the leadership of the NLC and TUC where they expressed their dissatisfaction over the pains of Nigerians and how to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

Akpabio, however, assured the aggrieved labour unions that the executive was working hard to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians.

Although it was gathered that the Federal Government was in moves to avert the strike, the labour unions are yet to change their mind about the planned strike action.

Rather, the TUC, vowed to ground economic activities in Lagos State as part of its protest against the ban on the operations of its affiliate union, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria by the state government.

It also directed its members to mobilise for one-day protest on Monday in preparation for the withdrawal of service.

Responding to the scheduled Monday strike, Rotimi said the House of Representatives would continue to protect vulnerable Nigerians as it continued to engage with both the organised labour unions and the Federal Government.

Rotimi said: “As a proactive and responsive parliament, we will continue to engage organised labour and the executive arm of government, towards ensuring the welfare of workers and protection of vulnerable Nigerians, while also supporting the tough, but necessary decisions government needs to take to ensure the long-term viability of the Nigerian economy.

“Mr. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas’ efforts in these regards are well documented.”