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PETROL PRICE HIKE: NLC mobilises against FG

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has embarked on a mass mobilisation of civil society organisations (CSOs) ahead of the planned nationwide protests, scheduled for January 27 and February 1 against the proposed removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government.

According to reports, meetings between the congress and leaders of the CSOs are expected to hold on Tuesday in Abuja and Friday in Lagos.

The meetings, according to a letter by NLC President Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, will be attended by members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the congress and the affiliate unions’ leadership.

The letter by Wabba reads: “Comrade, you may recall that at the regular meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress, which took place on 17th December 2021 at the Oyerinde Olaitan Auditorium, Pascal Bafyau Labour House, the NEC decided, among other things, to mobilise Nigerian workers and people for a nationwide protest on the 27th of January 2022, particularly in all the state capitals of the federation.

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“There will also be a national protest on the 1st of February 2022, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The planned protest is to register the displeasure and rejection by Nigerian workers and people of the proposed plans by the government to increase the price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also commonly referred to as ‘petrol’.

“Currently, it is being speculated that the planned price hike would see a litre of petrol selling between N340 and N360.

“Clearly, this price upsurge would unleash very severe and calamitous dislocation on Nigerian workers, people, and businesses.

“In order to plan for an effective and peaceful protest, we seek the indulgence of your union as a member of the NLC Central Working Committee to be part of a planning meeting with leaders of CSOs scheduled to take place in both Abuja and Lagos states.

“While we look forward to your attendance, please accept the renewed assurances of our highest esteem.”

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President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Quadri Olaleye, said the National Administrative Council, CWC, and National Executive Council of the NLC would thereafter meet for three days from January 20 to fine-tune the strategies for the protests.

Olaleye said: “The TUC will make its decision known on 22 of January. We are having our organs’ meeting from the 20th, 21th and 22nd. It is after that meeting that we will decide on what to do.

“The planned subsidy removal is a major issue that we will discuss. We have other issues like the failure of the government to implement the electricity tariff reduction agreement. We will look into it at the meeting. I don’t want to preempt the meeting.”

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Claims of inciting Igbos against FG baseless, Obi replies Umahi

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has responded to the allegation that he is inciting people of the south-east against the federal government.

 

The former governor of Anambra said the allegation is a “baseless distraction” designed to tarnish his character.

 

He averred that his “focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics”.

Obi said he would not reduce himself to the level of those who wallow in ethnic politics.

 

“Regarding allegations of incitement against the government, I firmly reject these unfounded accusations aimed at tarnishing my character,” Obi wrote on X.

 

“My focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics.

 

“Claims of incitement are baseless distractions. I have always advocated for unity and advancement, refusing to partake in reactionary divisive politics.

 

“Worse still, I have never and can never descend so low as to base my political aspirations on any sectional or ethnic interest.”

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THE INCITEMENT ALLEGATION

David Umahi, minister of works, on Wednesday accused Obi of inciting people of the south-east against the federal government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Umahi said Obi implemented the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was governor of Anambra.

 

The minister condemned Obi for criticising the federal government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.

 

Obi has repeatedly criticised the federal government for the construction, describing the project as a misplaced priority.

 

The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.

 

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.

 

The project has elicited controversy over funding, and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

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RESPONSE ON DEMOLITIONS AS ANAMBRA GOVERNOR

Responding to Umahi on demolition of structures, Obi said while he was governor, he clearly stated that all structures obstructing existing roads and lacking approval would be removed.

 

The former Anambra governor challenged anyone to show evidence on whether the “demolished structures on existing roads or ongoing businesses were not encroaching on the road and built without government approval”.

 

He added that it amounts to false equivalence to compare his actions as governor with the current Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

 

Obi said he “never proposed creating a new road that would disrupt existing structures”.

 

“My actions were strategic, aiming to prioritise the repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure over projects that risked disruption and destruction,” Obi added.

“This approach aimed to safeguard the livelihoods of Nigerians and ensure the efficient use of resources.”

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Coastal highway: Umahi slams Obi, says he’s inciting south-east people against FG

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David Umahi, minister of works, says Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, is inciting people of the south-east against the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Umahi spoke in Lagos on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the road project.

 

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.

The project has generated controversy and concerns about funding and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

 

On Tuesday, Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, criticised the federal government over the project, describing it as a misplaced priority.

 

The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.

 

UMAHI REPLIES OBI

Responding to the comment, Umahi said Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was the governor of Anambra.

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The minister condemned Obi for criticising the Federal Government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.

“When you condemn people you bring judgment upon yourself and that is what he has done,” Umahi said.

 

“I think he is inciting some of the south-east people that are not well informed.

“He is inciting and getting them into trouble and he does not go to fight for them.

“Wisdom is a defence. It gives light to those that practice it. I want our people to have wisdom because I’m involved.”

Umahi added that the federal government did not destroy the facilities of Landmark Beach, noting that only shanties on the right of way were removed.

 

He said the owners of Landmark Beach were not unfairly treated in the construction of the project.

 

The minister accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising the issues arising from the project.

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Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In The Newspapers Today: Minimum wage: FG, Labour talks deadlocked, NLC defends N615,000 demand

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1. The ongoing negotiations for a new minimum wage have deadlocked following the inability of the Federal Government and the organised labour to reach a consensus on the issue. President Bola Tinubu gave this indication in his speech during this year’s International Workers’ Day celebration in Abuja, on Wednesday.

2. The Federal Government says it will stop granting licences to gas companies with no capacity to build pipelines for gas distribution. This, the government said, became necessary to discourage the transportation of compressed natural gas through the roads.

 

3. The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) has called on security agencies to pick up hoarders of the Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol. The committee also assured Nigerians of the availability of petrol in stock, stressing that the logistical challenges which made the product scarce were being addressed.

 

4. The Federal Government has assured workers in the country that the implementation of the new national minimum wage would still take effect from May 1, 2024. Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, gave the assurance during the commemoration of the May Day celebration, on Wednesday in Abuja.

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5. Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced that the federal government plans to pay N2.75 billion as compensation to property owners affected by the demolition required for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway today, Wednesday, May 1. Umahi said that the highway is projected to stretch from channel 0 to channel 3.

 

6. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has lamented that the devaluation of naira, Nigeria’s currency, was the biggest mess for his company in 2023. Dangote, the Chairman of the Dangote Industries Limited made this statement during the annual general meeting of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc.

 

7. The National Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, James Tor, has cited the Israel-Iran crisis as a major cause of the current fuel scarcity in Nigeria. He noted that the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East compounded existing challenges, leading to a bottleneck in the supply chain.

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8. Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, on Wednesday, accused the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, of inciting some of the people of South-East against the federal government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project. He made the statement in reaction to the criticism by Obi that the project embarked on by Bola Tinubu’s administration is a job-losing one.

 

9. Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has pledged to decisively deal with workers receiving multiple salaries in the state civil service. The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday while speaking at the 2024 Workers’ Day celebration held in Gusau.

 

10. Tactical team of Kwara State police command has arrested three suspected cultists over the killing of the leader of another cult group, while manhunt has been launched to arrest other fleeing suspects involved in the inter cult attacks. Spokesperson of the command, DSP Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi who disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin yesterday, identified the suspects in police net as Sulaiman Ismail Mamud Ibrahim and Mudashir Saheed.

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