Tag: NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday welcomed the slash in the price of petrol, but said the reduction is not sufficient enough.

It described the decision as unilateral.

In a statement by General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, the congress said the government sidelined the Board of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) which is statutorily empowered to determine price of petroleum products.

He said the price reduction envisaged by the congress is the one that will operate within the institutional framework of PPPRA, adding that the “logic of our reasoning is hinged on the premise that only the PPPRA is charged with the statutory responsibility of determining petroleum product prices based on a relatively acceptable template.

“Accordingly, it is the PPPRA (on whose board we have NLC, TUC, NUPENG, PENGASSAN, NURTW) relying on the existing price template that could arrive at a fair and just price reduction. In other words, the reduction by the government, as welcome as it is, is by fiat.

“It is unfortunate that the PPPRA Board has been sidelined for so long. We demand that its board be constituted immediately to enable it discharge its statutory function”.

The statement said: “The reduction in the pump price is a welcome development. However in our estimation, it is not sufficiently deep enough.

“Prior to this price reduction, government had substantially devalued the naira, thus ensuring that the full benefits of falling crude price are not passed on to Nigerians. The N10 price slash translates to 10.3 per cent reduction compared to 33% price reduction in most countries.  For instance, in the United States, the price dipped to under two dollars from three dollars per gallon.

“We recall urging the government to effect a price reduction following a sustained price slump of crude oil in the international market in order for Nigerians to benefit from the development. We commend the government for listening to our advice.

“However, beyond the issue of price reduction of PMS, the regulatory agencies in the downstream sector of the oil industry need to protect Nigerians against monopolistic exploitation.

“We make bold to refer to the unacceptable price manipulation by monopolies in the oil sector where prices have remained unreasonable high for diesel the price of which is deregulated.

“Given the realities of the international oil market today, there is no reason for maintaining the price of diesel at N160 per litre. The regulatory agencies are called upon to break this stranglehold on consumers.

“Finally, we wish to appeal to transporters and transport operators alike to ensure that the benefits of this price reduction get to commuters”.

WORKERS’ umbrella body – the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) – yesterday backed the ongoing industrial action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

It accused the Federal Government of breaking chains of promises made and series of agreements it signed with the aggrieved workers.

Congress General Secretary Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson said in a statement in Abuja yesterday that it was unfortunate that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who is the chief law officer of the federation, would disregard the pronouncement of a competent court of competent law.

 The NLC support came on a day the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), disagreed on the timing of the JUSUN strike.

It also came on a day a meeting between the Works Minister and leaders of JUSUN ended in a deadlock.

President of JUSUN, Marwan Adamu, told reporters after the meeting, which ended at about 5pm yesterday, that none of the parties involved was willing to yield ground.

In a statement entitled: “Financial autonomy for the Judiciary is non-negotiable,” the NLC said that respect for the judiciary pronouncement will enrich the nation’s democracy, pointing out that strong institutions are needed for the development of the nation’s democracy.

It reads: “The ongoing strike action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is an outcome of government’s disregard for a judicial pronouncement by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 “It is equally a product of a chain of broken promises by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF),  states’ governments and other appropriate government agencies.

 “A year ago, a court of competent jurisdiction entered a judgment in favour of JUSUN by directing the AGF to deduct money and pay the National Judicial Council as part of the process of directly funding the Judiciary which in our view further strengthens our democracy.

 “It needs no stating that for the development of our democracy, we need strong institutions, a truly independent judiciary in de jure and de facto terms.  Since the judgment, as many as seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoU)with government (arising from countless meetings) have been signed.

 “In spite of serial breaches by government and its agencies, JUSUN had continually displayed remarkable understanding and uncommon maturity. The direct funding of the judiciary  is a  constitutional right which  has been further strengthened by a judicial pronouncement.

 “We therefore call on the attorney-general of the federation and all the attorneys-general of the states to respect this judgement.

“It is saddening that these law officers are seen to be breaking the law in such a brazen manner and at a time like this. Financial autonomy for the judiciary is non-negotiable.”

Also yesterday, the NBA president asked the striking workers to return to work. He cited next month’s general elections as reason.

But Falana described the industrial action as well-timed to force the government’s hand.

Alegeh said although JUSUN had a good cause since there were valid court judgments in its favour, the effect of the strike on the masses was enormous.

He said: “We must appreciate that these are very critical political times in our country. Various political parties are conducting their primaries, and the law court is the only avenue for individuals to ventilate their grievances; so, we cannot afford them to be shut down at this point.

“It will have a negative impact on the citizenry; on that ground, we are appealing to JUSUN to call off its strike.”

In his own argument, Falana said the strike could not have been better timed despite its implications on the rule of law.

His words: “I think the strike was timed by JUSUN this time around to hit the political class because of the pending cases in court with respect to the manipulation of results of primary elections of the leading political parties.

“A lot of pressure is likely to be on the government to sit down with the JUSUN leadership and resolve this crisis.

“I’m in touch with JUSUN leadership, and I have advised them this time around to ensure they record success before calling off the strike.

“We must put an end to these instalmental strikes on the part of judiciary workers. It has implications for the rule of law.

“A lot of people are languishing in prison custody, whose cases have to be adjourned sine dine. So, while I support the calling off of the strike, it will not be fair if the basis for the strike is not achieved.”

It was gathered that although the representatives of the Federal Government expressed concern over the turn of event and attempted to placate the workers, a position the workers appreciated; the point of departure was when the government’s representatives refused to make commitments.

They were expected to assure the workers that the government was willing and committed to compel the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Jonah Otunla, to comply with the orders as contained in the January 13 judgment by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In his ruling, the judge declared unconstitutional, the piecemeal release of budgetary allocations to the judiciary.

The AGF has been reported to have said that the Federal Government had always ensured compliance with the judgment and that the problem was with the states, it was learnt that government’s position, at the meeting held in Abuja yesterday, was to plead with the workers for more time.

The Nation learnt that the inability of parties to arrive at a common ground forced the minister to adjourn the meeting to a yet-to-be agreed date next week.

Adamu said: “The strike continues. We are just leaving the meeting venue now. The meeting is inconclusive. Although I will not be able to tell you all that we discussed, I just want you to know that nothing has changed.

“The strke continues. The government said we will meet again next week after its (government’s) representatives  examine our position and decide on what to do next.

“There is no clear date yet for the meeting. They promised to get back to us before next week. But as far as we are concerned, the strike continues until they realise the need to obey court orders and judgments.”