Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment has convened a meeting between the Nigeria Labour Conference (NLC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday. The meeting held behind closed doors was convened by the minister to reach a compromise. Consequently, they can possibly avoid the threat of a nationwide strike proposed by the NLC.
The union chief suggested starting a nationwide strike on Wednesday, March 29. A 10-man strong delegation of the NLC, led by its president Comrade Joe Ajaero and Emmanuel Ugboaja the General Secretary, while CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele was accompanied by Kingsley Obiora and Ade Shonubi Economic Policy and Organised Private Sector deputy governors respectively, according to a statement released by Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry
In his opening remarks, Ngige refuted the NLC’s claim that the NLC’s ministries did nothing on the issue.
He said on receiving the letter from NLC, he forwarded the same to the CBN governor. After this, he travelled out of the country for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Governing Board meeting. He also directed the Permanent Secretary and Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations Department to follow up.
He maintained that his ministry took the necessary step by sending the letter to the CBN governor. The CBN governor in turn received the letter and assured Ngige that action would be taken.
On his own part, Emefiele said when he received the letter from the Ministry of Labour, he called the president of NLC to brief him on steps taken to alleviate the sufferings of the masses and equally made an appointment and had a discussion with the NLC president and they had a fruitful discussion.
He said large volumes of funds were made available to the deposit money banks who were directed to open their branches on Saturdays and Sundays and they complied under the strict supervision of CBN.
According to Emefiele, following the steps taken, Nigerians have been enjoying their money.
Earlier, Ajaero said they only got a reply to their second letter to the ministry and subsequently, an invitation to the meeting. He said they no longer envisage any problem since CBN has started sending cash to the banks. Nigerians are also now able to access their money. Furthermore, he acknowledged that the meeting had taken place in the spirit of good dialogue.
However, he urged CBN to improve its services, regretting the information gap created in the implementation of the naira redesign.
He said-
“NLC could not have stopped CBN from taking good decisions and implementing them in the interest of the nation. If stakeholders were invited and briefed on the policy, when the people complain, NLC would explain everything to them. But in this case, the CBN did it alone. Moreover, it is the wrong time for administering such a national policy.”
He assured that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of NLC will meet on Tuesday, 28th of March, 2023. There, members from states and local government areas are expected to report on the availability of cash. Consequently, a decision will be taken with regard to the strike.
cc: Daily Post Ng
