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Labour Leaders Yield To President Tinubu’s Discussion

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After a nationwide protest on Wednesday, the organized Labor has agreed to suspend further action against the removal of fuel subsidies.

 

This decision followed a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and representatives of the workers.

 

In attendance were the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, and Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo.

 

Recall that workers held protests across the country against the fuel subsidy removal by the current administration.

 

The protests followed weeks of stalled negotiations between the workers and the government. The NLC, TUC, and affiliate unions had been demanding a reversal of the government’s decision.

 

The protests were prompted after a National Industrial Court injunction prevented them from commencing a nationwide strike scheduled for June 7, 2023.

 

Following the protests, labor leaders met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential villa, where they expressed satisfaction with the President’s promises and are now ready to suspend further actions.

 

During the meeting, President Tinubu assured the workers that the Port-Harcourt refinery would start production by December.

 

He made five major commitments and pledged to reach an agreement on wage awards for Nigerian workers immediately.

 

He also promised a workable roadmap to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative and committed to restructuring the framework for engagement based on labor input.

 

“PBAT (President Bola Ahmed Tinubu) promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week.

“PBAT committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders.

 

“We have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation,” the message posted on NLC platform indicated.

 

 

The labor leaders are expected to formally announce the suspension of protests on Thursday.

 

The workers criticized the government for being insensitive to citizens’ plight, leading to large-scale protests across the country.

 

In Abuja, over 5000 protesters stormed the National Assembly, even breaking into the assembly complex.

 

In various states, labor leaders demanded policy reversals, increased transparency, and more consideration for citizens’ well-being.

 

The Kano State NLC expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s efforts to alleviate the impacts of fuel subsidy removal, deeming them misleading.

 

The Kano chapter criticized President Tinubu for introducing unpopular policies to the public within only two months of his administration.

 

Kabiru Inuwa, Chairperson of the NLC in Kano, emphasized that the union remains apolitical and is committed to not exploiting the lives of Nigerians for political gain.

 

He said “Tinubu should let the masses breathe. Palliative he promised should be quickly shared,”

 

Kogi State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Gabriel Amari noted that the protest was as a result of the hardship being faced by Nigerians, adding that, if urgent measures were not put in place, it might lead to national chaos.

Amari stated “Nigerians are passing through the worst moment in their lives. This is not the renewed hope President Tinubu promised us when we voted for him.

 

“All the anti-people policies must be reversed immediately before things get out of hand.”

 

 

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TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to its Katampe 330kV Transmission Substation in Abuja following an earlier disruption caused by a fault on the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

The development was disclosed in a statement released by TCN management on Friday, October 9, 2026.

SEE ALSO: Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Power Line: TCN Begins Final Phase of Restoration

According to the statement, bulk power supply was restored to the Katampe substation at 4:15 p.m. through the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

TCN explained that the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1 remains out of service due to a fault, necessitating the use of the Gwagwalada–Katampe line to restore supply to the substation.

The company also announced the suspension of planned maintenance work on the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1 to enable the line to continue supplying the Katampe substation.

The suspended maintenance work involved replacing defective line isolators and the associated earthing switch.

TCN apologised to electricity consumers in the affected areas for any inconvenience caused by the disruption and maintenance arrangements.

 

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NEWS

2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy

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The Federal Government has warned politicians against making promises that could reverse Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that it will not restore fuel subsidy amid renewed debate over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) petrol discount.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, saying the government would not bring back subsidies on petroleum products.

“This government is not bringing back subsidy on fuel products. We need to be clear,” Oyedele said.

ALSO READ: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

The minister also criticised politicians who, according to him, make promises to win elections without fully considering the implications of implementing them.

He suggested that some politicians make sweeping promises during election campaigns only to offer excuses when confronted with the realities of governance.

“I think I would pardon people who say all manner of things because they want to get elected. It’s almost like ‘whatever I need to say, when I get there, I’ll give excuses.’ But we have the data,” he said.

Oyedele added that he felt a personal responsibility not to remain silent about the economic realities known to the government or allow populist positions to push Nigeria in the wrong direction.

“I feel the personal responsibility that I cannot see what I see and keep quiet, or populism to move our country in the wrong direction,” he said.

NNPC Petrol Discount Sparks Fresh Subsidy Debate

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at NNPC retail stations.

The initiative was introduced as a temporary measure to provide relief to Nigerians amid elevated global crude oil prices and concerns about the cost of petroleum products.

NNPC Retail had also announced a N66-per-litre petrol discount to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with the offer scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, across its retail stations nationwide.

The company maintained that the discount was a customer-relief initiative and did not represent a return to the petroleum subsidy regime.

The distinction has become central to the debate, with the government insisting that temporary price relief at NNPC stations does not amount to restoring the subsidy policy abolished in May 2023.

The administration has maintained that the current arrangement differs from the former subsidy system, under which the government intervened to cover part of the cost of petrol.

FG Defends Economic Reforms

During the interview, Oyedele also referred to a World Bank update, saying the institution had acknowledged a reduction in poverty levels and increased spending on infrastructure, particularly roads.

He urged Nigerians not to reverse the progress he said had been made, arguing that the country was approaching a point where the benefits of ongoing reforms should begin to emerge.

 

 

 

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Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

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The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced a promotion exercise for 24,000 eligible staff as part of efforts to clear outstanding teachers’ promotions dating back to 2021.

The development was disclosed on Friday as the administration of Governor Uba Sani intensifies efforts to address promotion backlogs, recognise teachers’ years of service and improve staff welfare across the state.

The exercise covers outstanding promotions from 2021 to 2026 and is expected to provide eligible teachers and other staff with opportunities for career progression.

SEE ALSO: Kaduna Clears N18bn Pension Arrears, Raises Agric Funding to N100bn

According to the announcement, eligible personnel will undergo an assessment process, after which promotions will be implemented for those who successfully meet the requirements.

The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the education sector by recognising the contributions of teachers and supporting their professional development.

The state government has emphasised the importance of investing in teachers, noting that a motivated and valued teaching workforce is essential to building a stronger education system.

The exercise is also expected to address long-standing staff concerns relating to career advancement within the state’s basic education sector.

 

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