Posted by SYLVESTER AKOR, Abuja on
TALKS between Federal Government and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over recent fuel price hike which lasted from 11:07 a.m to 4:07 p.m. yesterday, ended in deadlock as the congress resolved to go ahead with its nationwide rallies against the increase.
TALKS between Federal Government and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over recent fuel price hike which lasted from 11:07 a.m to 4:07 p.m. yesterday, ended in deadlock as the congress resolved to go ahead with its nationwide rallies against the increase.
NLC President, Adams Oshiomhole, who briefed newsmen on outcome of the meeting in Abuja accused Federal Government of unseriousness as its team led by Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Ufot Ekaette, claimed that it had no mandate to discuss price reversals.
Dismissing the meeting as a mere talkshop, Oshiomhole lamented that the main issue which necessitated the parley was not even tabled.
"No agreement has been reached, and no concrete issue was discussed," he said.
The meeting has, however, been adjourned indefinitely as no new date was announced for it to reconvene.
But government in a statement by Director (Press) in the SGF's office Mr. Eric Teniola said it "gave assurance that Federal Government would address problems that have arisen from the hike so as to lessen the burden being experienced by Nigerians."
The government team confirmed that it "had no mandate to reverse the increase in the price of petroleum products.
Members of the Federal Government delegation toi the meeting included the minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Hassan Mohammed Lawal, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr., Minister of State for Water Resources, Mr. Bashir Ishola Awotorebo, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Develoment, Otunba Bamidele Dada, Economic Adviser to the President, Prof. Ode Ojowu and National Cooordinator of National Poverty Alleviation Programme (NAPEP), Dr. Magnus Kpakol and chairman of Petroleum Pricing Products Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.