Nationwide Strike Will Land Workers Into More Suffering– Govs To Labour Unions

…Set Up Committee To Meet With Union, FG, Stakeholders
…Sayz Subsidy In Petroleum Sector Promoting Corruption, Loss Of Revenues, Jobs
-Urge FG To Halt Disbursement Of Funds Already Deducted For Construction Of Primary Healthcare At LGAs
By Matthew Ogune, Abuja
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) against embarking on a nationwide industrial action.

The Governors position was contained in a communique issued at the end of the forum’s 18th teleconference meeting issued by NGF’s Vice Chairman and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

According to the state chief executives, any such action will worsen the already deteriorating economic situation of the workers brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Forum members according to Tambuwal suggested the provision of a cushioning arrangement to ameliorate the effect of subsidy removal.

Tambuwal disclosed that the forum has set up a Committee made up of the Governors of Jigawa (Chairman), Nasarawa, Ogun, Kwara, Gombe, Abia and Bayelsa States to interface with the National Economic Council, the Labour Unions and relevant stakeholders for the overall interest of the nation.

Noting that Governors insisted that subsidy in the petroleum sector apart from promoting corruption in petroleum pricing and distribution, Tambuwal said that it also brings about loss of revenues to the three tiers of government and loss of jobs to the populace.

He added: “The NGF Secretariat will provide relevant support to the Committee on the details of the mechanism for deregulation put in place by the federal government.

“Call for an Emergency NEC meeting as soon as the Committee comes up with a common position on the deregulation of both the petroleum and power sectors and the figures laid bare for all to see.

“Members advised that any position taken by the Forum should not be seen to be contrary or injurious to the position of State Governors.

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“Communiqué have always maintained in support of deregulation..”

On the deduction of LGC statutory allocation for the construction of primary healthcare centers in each of the 774 LGAs.

Tambuwal stated:”Governors expressed serious concern over deductions from the Federation Allocation of the 774 local governments of the country to construct and equip healthcare centres in each local government area on behalf of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON).

“The Forum rejected the legality and the legitimacy of the contract including all financing arrangements.

“NGF calls on the Minister for Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation not to disburse to receiving entities monies already deducted for the construction of primary healthcare centers in each of the 774 LGAs, and that further deductions should be halted forthwith.”

He noted that the forum has constituted a committee comprising the Governors of Ekiti (Chairman), Ebonyi, Delta, Gombe, Plateau, and Kano States to represent State and local governments on the matter.

Adding that the committee will also approach Mr. President, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, the National Judicial Council and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to appeal against the judgement.