Government, Labour Still Miles Apart On Price Of Petrol

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (M) WITH SENATE PRESIDENT DAVID MARK (2ND R), DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT IKE EKWEREMADU (R) AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA FRIDAY JUST BEFORE THE MEETING WITH LABOUR LEADERS.

... Parties Agree To Soften Positions.

... Deal In Sight

SAN FRANCISCO, January 12, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government and labour unions are still miles apart in terms of reaching a deal on the price of petrol.

Labour unions at a meeting Thursday evening with representatives of the National Assembly, State Governors and the Federal Government insisted on N65 per liter, while government had proposed a reduction from the current N141 to N120 per liter, with labour however, according to reports, agreeing in principle to allow a staggered removal of subsidy over a period, that is, after certain milestones would have been met by federal government.

The closed-door meeting inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, started at about 5.p.m and adjourned at about 8. 40 p.m. President Goodluck Jonathan briefly attended, before departing to allow talks continue. Also in attendance were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Trade Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, NSA, General Owoye Azazi (rtd), Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke SAN and other key ministers.

Senate President, Senator David Mark, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and Senate leader, Victor Ndoma Egba represented the National Assembly.

The Governors Forum had a team of five in attendance – Chairman of the forum and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi, Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN, Edo’s Adams Oshiomhole, Cross Rivers’ Liyel Imoke, Anambra’s Peter Obi, Benue’s Gabriel Suswam and Niger’s Muazu Babangida Aliyu.

UNION LEADERS DEPARTING THE VENUE OF THE MEETING.

Labour unions were represented by President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, NLC VP, Comrade Isa Aremu, leaders of several other labour groups and representatives of the civil society.

No formal statement was issued at the end of the parley.

Addressing the media briefly after the meeting, NLC’s Abdulwaheed Omar said both parties had agreed to shift grounds and that the meeting had progressed remarkably well, but that they still needed to agree on key issues in order to move forward.

He however added that the strike which enters Day 5 Friday would continue, adding that both parties would reconvene on Saturday to continue discussions.

Omar declined to comment further on specifics.