New Fuel Price: Labour Breaks into two Factions, one Supports The Presidency

Talks between the Federal Government and organised labour on the increase in the pump price of petrol took an interesting turn on Monday night as one faction say they must strike, while another faction say the best way out is to negotiate with government based on facts on ground.

Briefing journalists at the end of the 4-hour meeting on Tuesday morning, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said the two parties had “a fruitful discussion and will continue from where we stopped.”

The meeting, which ended at about 12 midnight, will resume at 3pm on Tuesday.

The Federal Government, however, began another round of meeting with the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the NLC movement at about 12.15am on Tuesday after its meeting with the Ayuba Wabba-led NLC.

Wabba confirmed that discussions with the Federal Government would continue by 3pm on Tuesday. But the Ajaero group said Nigerians should not panic, that they would resolved the issues.

Sources said the labour leaders claim that they were not convinced by figures by the government team.

Those who attended the meeting included Wabba; NLC General Secretary, Peter Ozo-Esun; NUPENG president, Igwe Achese; PENGASSAN President, Olabode Johnson; TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang; and the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

Earlier on Monday, the Federal Government said it had no choice but to liberalise the price of petrol.

The presidency stated that, “The liberalisation of petrol supply and distribution will allow marketers and any Nigerian entity, willing to supply PMS, to source for their forex and import PMS to ensure that the product is always available in all locations of the country for Nigerians to buy.”