In response to the strike notice issued by Organized Labour, the federal government has addressed the challenges in implementing some of the agreements reached during the October 2023 negotiation meeting.
This announcement comes after Organized Labour threatened to commence a nationwide strike in 14 days if the agreements were not implemented starting from February 9, 2024.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 2, 2023, between labour leaders and government representatives included a 16-point agreement aimed at addressing various issues affecting Nigerians, such as fuel subsidy removal, naira devaluation, inflation, and insecurity.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, clarified that while the government has initiated the delivery of some agreements, not all can be implemented immediately due to various factors.
Onyejeocha highlighted the establishment of conversion centres for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as one of the agreements that require time for full implementation. She assured that progress has been made by the committee handling the matter but emphasized that certain processes take time to materialize.
Addressing concerns over potential economic disruptions from the strike, Onyejeocha stressed the government’s commitment to fulfilling the agreements reached with Organized Labour. She emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to the welfare of Nigerians and urged against actions that could harm the economy.
Furthermore, Onyejeocha disclosed that the government, through the Ministry of Finance, has procured 11,500 CNG vehicles, including buses and tricycles, which will be rolled out soon. Additionally, provisions have been made for an initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits as part of the auto gas conversion program.
“In line with the government ongoing commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians, provisions have also been made for an initial 55,000 CNG conversion kits as part of the commencement of the auto gas conversion programme.
“Development of the state-of-the-art CNG conversion centres nationwide is also ongoing with the aim to deliver 1 million converted bi-fuel CNG/PMS vehicles to enable transporters and mass transit operators convert their vehicles that run on PMS to gas (which is forty to fifty percent cheaper than PMS).”
The development of state-of-the-art CNG conversion centres nationwide is underway, aiming to deliver one million converted bi-fuel CNG/PMS vehicles. This initiative aims to enable transporters and mass transit operators to convert vehicles from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to gas, offering a more cost-effective alternative.
As the federal government works towards fulfilling its commitments to Organized Labour, the ongoing dialogue and efforts to address socio-economic challenges remain crucial for ensuring the welfare and stability of Nigerians.
