Fuel Price: FG, Labour Meeting Ends In A Deadlock

Talks between the Federal Government and organised labour on the increase in the pump price of petrol ended in a deadlock on Monday night.

Briefing journalists at the end of the four-hour meeting on Tuesday morning, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, said the two parties had “a fruitful discussion and will continue from where we stopped.” The meeting, which ended at about 12 midnight, will resume at 3pm on Tuesday (today).Lawal, however, refused to answer further questions from newsmen.

The Federal Government, however, began another round of meeting with the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the labour movement at about 12.15am on Tuesday after its meeting with the Ayuba Wabba-led Nigeria Labour Congress.

Wabba confirmed that discussions with the Federal Government would continue by 3pm on Tuesday (today).Sources at the meeting said the labour leaders were not convinced by the figures presented by the government team.

Those who attended the meeting included Wabba; NLC General Secretary, Peter Ozo-Esun; NUPENG president, Igwe Achese; PENGASSAN President, Olabode Johnson; TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang; and the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.