Hours to the end of the 21-day ultimatum issued by the organised labour, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, said it has no fears about a potential economic shutdown.

This is despite last Monday’s parley being deadlocked as both parties failed to see eye-to-eye on the labour unions’ demands over the removal of petrol subsidy.

“I don’t think there is any problem. We don’t have any fears about some of the things they (labour) put on the table and also the suggestions and the package of the Federal Government,” the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, told State House Correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Wednesday evening.

Days earlier, Lalong met the organised labour in Abuja. However, both parties failed to reach a consensus as the Nigerian Labour Congress insisted that the FG must meet its demands ahead of the 21-day ultimatum it issued on September 1.

The union had handed down the 21-day ultimatum over the delay in sharing palliatives, saying it might be compelled to declare an indefinite labour action if its demands were not met.

It said all is set for a total shutdown of the economy, which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday.

Arising from his meeting with Shettima, the labour minister responded to questions about the deadline for an indefinite strike by the organised labour, saying, “As for me, I don’t think there is any problem. We have fully spent time with the Nigerian labour and the posture of the President too is towards the welfare and prosperity for workers.

“We have no doubt and that’s why, in many of our meetings with them, we did not end up boxing ourselves. We hope that the best is going to come.”

On the strike threats, he said, “Don’t worry about that. That’s why I said it’s a friendly engagement we are having with them.”

Pressed for definite remarks on whether or not the strike kicks off on Thursday, the former Plateau State Governor sidestepped, saying “I don’t want to say that; I’m not the NLC’s President.”

Efforts by our correspondents to get the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, to react were unsuccessful.

Among other demands, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

Though the FG committed to restructuring the framework for engagement with organised Labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no action. (PUNCH)

Outspoken Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Diocese, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, has flatly rejected bags of rice sent as palliative for his members to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

He expressed support for the nationwide strike being planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the fuel subsidy to enable the federal government address the suffering of the masses.

Chukwuma who was visibly livid at the insufficient palliatives meant for his members, noted that it was an insult that they were given 200 bags of rice to share wondering what the people would take home.

The Anglican archbishop who made the rejection at the Cathedral of Good Shepherd, Independence Layout, Enugu could not hide his anger.

• Bags of rice delivered to Enugu Anglican Diocese as subsidy palliative

“Having seen some of the bags of rice called palliatives for the people of Enugu state, we feel dejected and very much disappointed that even the 200 bags for each ward, that the local government chairman withdrew five bags from it.

“Two, how do you expect this type of palliative to cushion the effect of the subsidy for the people that you are saying palliative? Five persons per a 20kg bag of rice. So we are feeling that federal government palliative for Nigerians is insulting, it’s disgraceful and it’s a failure, it’s fraud and we completely reject it.

“For me as Archbishop Chukwuma, I will not accept this type of rice as palliative, it’s an insult to the people. And so I am calling on the federal government and state government to look into it properly, that this is not a palliative that can cushion anything at all.

“It  is a way of insulting the people, creating more hunger and we feel that if federal government is sincere, which I feel they are not sincere about the palliatives, I think Labour should go ahead with their strike because what the Labour is talking about is still what we are seeing now, insincerity of the government.

“The palliative is a disgrace, is a failure, to cushion any effect of fuel subsidy removal. So for me I feel disappointed to see this type of rice which is already getting spoilt to be distributed to human beings, whoever is responsible should please come and withdraw it. We reject it and we cannot accept it, is a failure. Federal government palliative is a failure and not a sincere way of cushioning the effect of fuel subsidy removal for Nigerians.”