Federal Government Apprehends NLC Protest Threat

The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully averted a nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over naira scarcity. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, made the announcement at a weekly Ministerial Briefing organized by the Presidential Communication Team at the State House, Abuja. The NLC had given the government a seven-day ultimatum to end the cash scarcity, failing which it warned of a nationwide protest and picketing of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branches. However, Ngige stated that his ministry had brokered a truce between Labour leaders and the CBN, which had taken steps to remedy the situation.

Accompanied by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, and other senior officials of the Ministry, Ngige said that as at the moment, the issue to be discussed by NLC in National Executive Council (NEC) meeting would no longer be issues of protest. He further explained that the NLC had agreed to call up their National Executive Council meeting to review the situation. Members of the council reside in the states and in the local governments, and they will come up on Tuesday, the 28th, to discuss the issue. The initial decision to give that ultimatum was given by this same Council.

Ngige emphasized that the Trade Dispute Act provides that once the Minister apprehends and starts conciliation on it, the status quo ante bellum should be maintained. Therefore, the issue of discussion is no longer strike, but implementation, how far it has gone, and how far it affects Nigerian workers and the general population. He assured that the final decision would be made by NEC and they would then do a resolution and inform him and the CBN of their resolution.

The Minister commended the CBN for taking swift action to remedy the situation and for its cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Employment. He stated that his ministry is the Chief Conciliator and that they have all answered their calls. He said that he had noticed that there is already a dialogue going on and implementation of measures by the CBN. The Nigerian Labour Congress had agreed that there was some thawing at the surface of the icing that was there.

Ngige explained that the issue of cash scarcity affects the entire country, and the government is working to ensure that the situation is resolved as quickly as possible. He said that the government is also working to create more job opportunities for Nigerians, as the lack of jobs is a major contributing factor to the country's economic challenges.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, also expressed his appreciation to the CBN for its efforts in addressing the cash scarcity. He noted that the government is committed to resolving the issue and ensuring that Nigerian workers are not left stranded without access to their salaries.