Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to rescind its planned warning strike over the new electricity tariff in the overall interest of the nation, and as an earnest of the commitment of the organised labour to the supremacy of the rule of law which the Buhari led Federal Government has amply demonstrated.
He said the “the dispute over the increment in electricity tariff is right before the National Assembly and it is only right that as law abiding social partners that all parties afford the legislature the opportunity to arbitrate.”
Ngige remarked that “the Chairman of the NLC is not here but this occasion offers a crucial avenue for me to state government’s position on this hot button issue.”
The Minister advised investors in the power sector to provide decent working environment for their staff members as his Ministry will no longer tolerate unfair labour practices, urging workers to give their utmost in promotion of productivity
Ngige made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday in his goodwill message at the 3rd Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC.
Speaking further, the urged the group to be committed to a productive change and the inculcation of sanity in the conduct of government business and hoped that the change mantra would instil discipline in the entire citizenry of Nigeria and promotes transparency, accountability and other good governance principles.
He stressed that the dialectical relationship between capital and labour should be played down and minimized in order to enable a viable environment for sustainable development and growth of the nation devoid of industrial actions.
Ngige said, “In tandem with the theme of your conference this year, I must state that the Federal Government is concerned with good governance in all sectors of the economy and the subsequent expansion of the infrastructural and super-structural base of the Nigerian economy and this could be achieved by the Labour Movement ensuring industrial peace in the world of work through social dialogue with Social Partners.”
The Minister reiterated the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to provide level playing ground for Trade Unions in Nigeria, and emphasised that Government would endeavour at all times to ensure the protection and Promotion of the welfare of workers as a productive force to reckon with in course of economic production.
Ngige disclosed that the Federal Government has resolved to ensure provision of regular electricity to Nigerians at an affordable rate.
“You are therefore called upon to support the government in its efforts to reposition and expand the power sector in Nigeria for effectiveness and efficiency, as every bit of support from each one of you is worthwhile. He concluded.
In his remarks, the Minister of power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola stated that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to improve Power supply and assured Nigerians that the worrisome situation of electricity instability nationwide will soon become a thing of the past.
