By Kamil Opeyemi
Representatives of Federal Government are expected to meet with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) today by 2pm over the planned removal of fuel subsidy.
Joe Ajaero, NLC National President, disclosed this with Channels Television’s crew while featuring on Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday.
He said the position ofl Labour has been clear that even if President Bola Tinubu has a good intention, alternatives must be provided.
According to him, the President should have asked questions and find out the implications of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians on the streets.
The NLC boss listed the alternatives to include the repair of the nation’s four refineries, provision of transportation of alternatives for the Nigerian workers, amongst others.
“Government seems to have shown interest in discussion. As at last night, they reached out and we have fixed 2pm today (Wednesday) to commence discussion,” he said
“There, all other issues will be discussed because you can’t just say there is no subsidy and then you are not producing and leave us to the vagaries of the market, to people who want to sell the product they bought for N10 for N100 to maximise profit. If there is no more garri, we must find out what to eat.”
Calling for a review of the President’s pronouncement, Ajaero said the pronouncement by Mr President is as “good as law and that if in the process we make a law that is not practicable, the same people that made the law can look at it.”
“Does it bring pleasure to us to say subsidy is gone and people start suffering? Is it not part of leadership for us to look at how the suffering of the people can be reduced?” he asked.