Strike: Coalition commends FG, organised labour over dialogue

The Coalition for A Better Nigeria has commended the Federal Government and organised labour for engaging in dialogue and reaching a compromise over the proposed strike planned by the lab our unions in the country to protest against te recent hike in fuel price and electricity tariff.

The group in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Awa Bamiji, on Monday, said: “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government for being proactive, sensitive, responsible and responsive to the popular expectation as it was stipulated in our past press statement, where we suggested only two ways of ameliorating the suffering that is associated with the latest hike in price of petroleum products and increased electricity tarrif.

“First, is introduction of a long term development plan by the Federal Government while the labour and civil society groups engagement was the second one.

“Within two weeks of issuing the press statement, concrete steps were taken towards achieving these two goals.”

Awa said laying the income and expenditure of the Federal Government on the table of discussion with the labour and civil society groups will give the common man on the street of Nigeria sense of belonging and recognition.

“This is what the meeting between the Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, and the organised labour will achieve at the end of the day. This is best described as inclusive governance or democracy in action.

“Because President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration inherited almost an empty treasury, this necessitated international borrowing for developmental projects and the aggressive economic policies to turn things around.

“Also, the break out of the coronavirus pandemic early this year which is ravaging the economy of the world up till now necessitated the aggressive economic approach,” he said.

Speaking on the country’s 60th independence anniversary, the group said: “We must all be glad as a nation to witness the giant heights attained by Nigeria at 60 and we do congratulate Mr President and the good citizens of Nigeria on this occasion.”

The group condemned the second Bolo Ha ram attack on the convoy of Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, describing it as callous, insensitive and an outright attempt to assassinate him.

“The increasing rate of insecurity that we have been experiencing since the advent of this democracy now threatens Nigeria’s existence the more with this new development and something very urgent must be done to address the situation by the Federal and State Governments. Rejigging the country’s security architecture and adequate intelligence gathering are very important, so as to nip the problem in the bud,” it added.

Awa added that the introduction of 2000 mass Transit Buses by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to cushion the effects of transportation within the Abuja metropolis and to serve as palliative for the Abuja rural dwellers is highly commendable, saying “we will also advise the state governments to imitate the FCTA or double their efforts where it is already existing.”

“This will ameliorate the transportation stress on the low income earners across the Country,” the statement added.

It added: “The list of vision 2050 Committee members, especially the technocrats, is highly commendable but we will still advise the Federal Government to consider the inclusion of names of development experts on the list.

“We need to learn from the past mistakes, which bothers on something like this, for the smooth take – off and effective implementation, both of which will encourage genuine continuity of the programme by every successful administrations.

“While placing ban on both fertiliser and agricultural products to encourage local production and preserve our foreign exchange, government should avoid imposing a blanket ban on some agricultural products that are still in limited supply or non existent in Nigeria, till we have them in surplus.”

The group applauded the Central Bank of Nigeria’s approval of dry season farming incentives for farmers.

“We applaud the construction of 377 roads across all wards in Lagos State by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alias “Work-in-Progress.” The intervention, which was said to be the first of its kind in the state along with 23 power projects will go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the masses.

“We congratulate Akran of Badagry, De Whenu Aholu Menu Toyi I @ 84; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III @ 77; former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja @ 76; King Sunny Ade @ 74; Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State @ 66; our fire brand Senator Oluremi Tinubu @ 60; The 20th Indigenious Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu @ 59; Deputy Governor of Lagos, Obafemi Hamzat @ 56; 2019 Oyo State APC gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Bayo Adelabu @ 50 and the ever progressive Publicity Secretary of the APC South West in the United Kingdom, Hon Olawuyi Folarin Alao (OFAB) @ 50.

“We felicitate with our dear brother, friend and the Leader of Mercury Group, Oba Adeayo Adeagbo, Okinbaloye II, the Oore of Otun Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Mobaland in Moba Local Government of Ekiti State, on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers. We rejoice with our quintessential Prof. Florence Obi, as she breaks the jinx by emerging first female Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar.

“We commiserate with former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko over the death of his daughter.

“We mourn the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Sheu Idris, Col. Dahiru Bako killed by insurgents in Borno State, the Late Yoruba Nollywood legend, Chief Jimoh Aliu.May their gentle souls rest in peace.

“Today, is the day to remember the Late Afenifere leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi on his 95th posthumous birthday celebration as well as the first Executive Governor of Oyo State, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Late Chief Ajibola James Idowu Ige, SAN, who would have been 90 years old on September 13, if he was not assassinated on that fateful Sunday night of 23rd December, 2001, by unknown Assailants, whose identity is yet to be unraveled, 19 years after the gruesome murder.

The irrepressible Cicero, lives on!” the statement said.