Posted by From ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Abuja on
The Senate President, Senator David Mark, has declared that to contemplate any hike in pump price now would be unnecessary, saying any increment now would further add to the plight of hapless Nigerians.
The Senate President, Senator David Mark, has declared that to contemplate any hike in pump price now would be unnecessary, saying any increment now would further add to the plight of hapless Nigerians.
He made the declaration on Wednesday night when he received the executives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, in his office.
Mark, who also called on the NLC and all arms of government to embrace continuous dialogue which, he noted, was the only way to enhance cordiality among all stakeholders insisted that the only way Nigerians could reap the dividend of democracy was when the work force is in good accord with the government.
'The increment on petroleum pricing is not necessary now, it will only add to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian. We in the Senate will do everything within our legislative power to address the issue and find a lasting solution to it.
'The only way Nigerians could be re-assured of a better transfer of dividends of democracy to them is for harmonious co-existence among all the sectors of the government. The present government is very concerned about a cordial relationship with the labour and this, we will work together to achieve," he stated.
Earlier, the NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, had commended Mark for the peaceful and cordial relationship between labour and the Federal Government so far, saying that the NLC recognizes the contribution of the Senate on the issue of nation building under his leadership.
Omar said the Congress was interested in the sustenance of the agreed prices of petroleum products beyond June 2008, even as he urged the Senate to take another look at the Road Maintenance Bill, with a view to amending it, adding that the bill was not really necessary, as it would add to the hardship of the common man.
He went further to reaffirm the commitment of the NLC to the struggles of the people of the Niger Delta, and called for urgent constitutional and fiscal measures to address the development deficits and marginalization of the region.