Wogu Calls For Understanding, Says Government Always Ready To Dialogue

The Minister of Labour and Productivity Chief Emeka Wogu on Tuesday in Abuja, called on Nigerians as well as organised labour to show more understanding for deregulation policy, stressing that government was always ready to dialogue.

Wogu made the call while speaking at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to Wogu, the government’s policy of deregulation is not a war against Nigerians but a policy that will affect the lives of the citizens positively.

He stressed that government had indicated its interest in dialoguing even before the removal of the subsidy as it called the organised labour and other stakeholders to the negotiating table.

Cue in audio (Wogu on dialogue)

“The right procedure in situations like this is dialogue. Our extant laws define processes of dialogue, this is known to the three partners; we are equally governed by several International Labour Organisation conventions to which Nigeria has subscribed to.

“The ultimate thing is that there must be social dialogue among the partners but in this case, government began with consultative meetings and interactive sessions before the announcement of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy. Government has done everything on its own side to make sure that dialogue is sustained in the best manner possible.”

“There is no war; government has not come out that look, we have declared war against the people of Nigeria, rather government has come out clearly that this is a policy that will affect? the lives of Nigerians for good.”

Wogu stressed that it was completely unfair of the NLC to claim that government did not reach out to it for negotiations.

The minister said, the government had also called for a post-subsidy removal negotiation of which a committee made up of ministers and state governors had been set up to negotiate on the part of government.

He explained that though the NLC, as an interest group is a formidable stakeholder and is well positioned to advise government; it is, however, not in position to take decisions for government.

The minister called on the Nigerian people and the trade unions to show understanding for the policy of government on the deregulation of the oil sector.

“Government had, in its wisdom, ordered its political office holders to make sacrifices, leading to a reduction in their salaries by 25 per cent as well as another reduction and trimming of official delegations on foreign trips,” he added

“So we now urge Nigerians to equally make their own sacrifices: sacrifices of respect for policies of government, sacrifices of having the patience to understand what government intends to do.

“Even our social partners the labour, then members of the public, we urge them to show understanding, the room is still open for discussion; there is a court order which has not been obeyed.”

“These things are disputes that can and will always be resolved through dialogue; government appreciates the pains the people are going through.”

Wogu expressed regret that the protest against the subsidy withdrawal was taken an unwholesome dimension as some sectors of the society were beginning to incite violence.

He pleaded with Nigerians to be dispassionate and show understanding.

“This thing should not be over-dramatised,” he said.

He said, the way forward was for all stakeholders to heed the admonition of government and return to the negotiating table

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