The minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeruka Onyejeocha on Friday, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was equally affected by the recent increase in petroleum products.
In a bid to calm the uproar that greeted her comment, Onyejeocha argued that President Tinubu was not only human, but he was also facing some logistic challenges as a result of scarce petroleum resources and financial constraints.
Speaking at a Town Hall engagement with organised labour and employers on “Imperatives of the Eight Point Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ‘s Administration,” in Abuja, the minister added that Tinubu was aware of the hardship in the country.
She said: ”The President is aware of the hardship that the increase in petrol pump price has melted to Nigerians in the last few days.
“It has brought hardship even to himself. The President is a human being. Let me tell you how it affects him; when he comes out there are no vehicles and sometimes they don’t get enough money to buy fuel. It affects everyone to be honest.
“So I plead with all of us to show more understanding and know that when one is down everybody is down. There is nobody that is affected and that is why we should all put our hands and our heads, everything together under one roof to find a way forward that will bring in meaningful result to the nation. I pray you show more understanding.”
Onyejeocha who stressed that the federal government would not take responsibility for the delay in payment of the new minimum wage as a result of failure of labour to finalise on the consequential adjustment, however said there was hope as separate meetings were ongoing by government and the tripartite committee.
“As we speak there’s a meeting on government side this morning on the new minimum wage and consequential adjustment and by 2pm, the tripartite are meeting with the Head of Service. Once they get what we are supposed to pay they will start paying.
“We will not be take responsibility why the figures has to delay because at the day we pass it, they suppose to have gone ahead constitute the committee then have a figure, because it doesn’t take rocket science to have figures of what we should really give So I believe that that one is something that will soon as possible.”
Speaking further, the minister noted that in an effort to achieve the administration’s mantra Renewed Hope Agenda Unity and Progress for all Nigerians, the ministry was saddled with the task of ensuring decent work in all sectors of the economy; and maintaining industrial peace and harmony in workplaces across the nation which is a prerequisite for national growth and development to ensure the success of at least 6 out of the 8 points in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I therefore make no excuses as this Government of APC is determined and committed to tackling headlong all socio-economic ills that have troubled our nation and we shall by the grace of God Almighty evolve solutions to emerging threats to our well-being as a nation.
“Recognizing this, the Federal Government has sought and continues to seek to collaborate with policy makers, in this case both employers and workers representatives who make development possible by generating and sustaining the momentum so that we together we can attain enviable heights of progress in our beloved country.”
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, noted that the decision to remove the fuel subsidy was necessary for the nation’s growth and development.
Represented by Omolola Adegbenga, he urged Nigerians to show more understanding with the current administration, bearing in mind that things would get better in the nearest future.
“These decisions are important for the progress of our country. The decision by President Tinubu has had severe effect, challenges but at the end of every storm there shall be calm and I believe there will be calm for Nigerians. It’s not a coincidence that the theme of Mr President’s administration is Renewed Hope.
“CBN is committed to supporting president Tinubu in achieving the 8 point agenda.
“Every activity of CBN is committed to Nigeria’s growth. While we may be facing challenges, I believe with every organ contributing it’s quota, we shall be able to achieve those goals.”
