General
Pump price: NLC threatens to commence fresh strike without notice
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike without any formal notice if there is a further increase in the pump price of fuel.
Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this at the ongoing African Alliance of Trade Unions meeting on Monday in Abuja.
Ajaero said that negotiations with the Federal Government was still ongoing and the palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal subsidy were yet to be put in place first.
Ajaero while reacting to the advice of the Registrar of Trade Unions of their responsibilities of protecting the interest of workers and Nigerians, urged the government to change the anti-poor and anti-workers policies.
According to him, the government must change those bad economic policies that make our wages next to nothing.
“ As we are here now, they are contemplating increasing the pump price of petroleum products but let me say this, Nigeria workers will not give any strike notice.
“If we have not addressed the consequences of the last two increases in the fuel pump price, we would have woken up from asleep to hear that they have tampered with the fuel pump price again,” he said.
The NLC president, however, appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that theⁿ anti-workers policies are checked.
“If you check those policies that lead to inflation and devaluation of the currency, we will be comfortable even where we are.
“If Naira is at par with the dollar today, we will ask you to leave minimum wage at N30,000. If inflation is checked to zero, we will ask you to leave things the way they are.
“But inflation is flying, and by the admittance of the National Bureau of Statistics, we have over 133 million Nigerians that are multi-dimensionally poor.
“I think these are the issues Government should address. If we go for wage increase tomorrow, the inflation that will follow suit will destroy it,” he said.
On the issue of the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) detaining the officers of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) that it was unlawful.
According to him, ”the Nigerian police, the IG is now performing the duties of the Ministry of Labour.”
”The duty of the Ministry of Labour includes addressing the issue of both inter and intra-union disputes.
“It is not within the purview of the IG to go into that area. I think there is a need for the Ministry of Labour to educate the police to tell them that they don’t have the right to usurp its functions.
“If they do that, the Ministry of Labour will go into extinction and there will be no basis for the Minister of Labour to remain there,” he added.
He further that it was legal for NLC to demand an apology from the IG of police for arresting or even contemplated arresting the president of the NURTW on the eve of the union’s election.
He added that it is unheard of in the history of this country. And never again should not be entertained,” he said.
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By Aminu Garko
Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 65th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, Senator Musa described the First Lady as “an Amazon and a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians.”
Sen.Musa praised Senator Tinubu’s life of impact, devotion to God, and service to the nation.
He celebrated her compassion, strength, and dedication to the welfare of women, children, and the less privileged, noting that she continues to inspire hope across Nigeria.
The Senator wished the First Lady many more years in good health, wisdom, and strength, expressing confidence that she will continue to support President Bola Tinubu and champion noble causes that will uplift the nation.
On behalf of the people of Niger East, I join in celebrating the First Lady’s special day and pray for her continued good health and well-being.
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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, says the Federal Government has committed over N12 billion to a solar power project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
Speaking at the flag-off of the project in Kano, Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, said the initiative would make the hospital independent of the national grid.
He explained that the project is part of the government’s plan to solarise all tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across the country, beginning with AKTH.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
“The Federal Government set aside N300 billion in the 2025 appropriation act, and very soon all our tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals, including those owned by states, will enjoy 24-hour solar power.
“This year alone, I have attracted projects worth over N26 billion to AKTH, which has never happened in its history,” he said.
Bichi added that similar projects were underway at Bayero University Kano, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital.
He also commended Tinubu for supporting the project, describing it as a milestone in healthcare service delivery.
In his remarks, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the initiative marked the translation of the Renewed Hope Agenda from vision to tangible action.
On his part, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, assured that the project would be delivered before December.
“This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We are targeting about 10,000 projects across the 36 states and the FCT to ensure 100 per cent solarisation of facilities,” Abdullahi said.
The Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. Abdulrahman Sheshe, said the hospital spends about N150 million monthly on electricity bills and an additional N30 million on diesel.
“With this intervention, the hospital will save more than 30 per cent of its expenses. This project could not have come at a better time, especially after the recent power dispute we had,” he said.
Before the flag-off, Bichi inspected the ongoing construction of a five-storey Accident, Emergency and Trauma Centre at the hospital, another project facilitated by the Federal Government.
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