Fuel Subsidy: Meeting Between FG, Labour Deadlocked 

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

The meeting between the federal government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the fuel subsidy removal ended in a deadlock at the State House, Abuja Wednesday evening.

The meeting, which took place at the conference room of the Chief of Staff’s office, could not agree on the timing for the removal of the subsidy on petroleum products.

While the federal government is saying the new price regime introduced on Wednesday morning by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) signalling the end of fuel subsidy has come to stay, NLC and TUC are insisting on the old price order to allow for further consultations before any price hike.

Former director in the defunct Tinubu/ Shettima campaign organization, Dele Alake, who spoke with newsmen on behalf of government after the close-door meeting, said the meeting was adjourned till a later date for a concrete decision to be taken by both sides.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, however, disagreed, saying the meeting was deadlocked as no agreement was reached at the meeting.

According to him, the old fuel price should remain pending the time Labour will meet with their members and report back to another meeting expected to be convened later by federal government. 

Details later…