Road transport workers pull out of labour strike

NLC strike is protesting the removal of fuel subsidy.

Road Transport Employers Pull Out of labour strike
Godwin Ukaa, Abuja

The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has dissociated its members from the planned mass protest rally by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

In a communiqué issued by the group at the end of its one-day pro-subsidy rally in Abuja, the association directed its members all over the federation to ignore the call for protest by a section of the labour movement.

The communiqué was read by the RTEAN National President, Dr. Olufemi Ajewole; at a press conference in the FCT Minister’s office, Abuja.

RTEAN pledged the total support and loyalty of all officers and members of the association to the Federal Government. It said that RTEAN members all over the federation have been mobilized and directed to ignore the call for strike and continue with their lawful business.

Bold step

He said “We have followed with keen interest the current debate and the Town Hall meeting on government’s policy on the removal of subsidy from PMS. We appreciate the bold step taken by government to arrest the menace of corruption and rent seeking in the oil and gas sector”.

Ajewole continued “Whereas the kind gesture of subsidy regime by government have not manifested the envisaged relief and direct impact on Nigerians, we aligned ourselves with government’s effort at securing the subsidy fund for infrastructural development as enunciated in the SURE programmes” .

The Communiqué also stressed that “Nigeria has suffered from many policy inconsistencies and shattered dreams of good public infrastructure and employment opportunities for our children. We are determined to give this administration a chance, believe in their policies and expect judicious use of the proceeds of the subsidy for the good of all Nigerians, especially the rural poor.”

The association hailed the credibility of Dr. Christopher Kolade, the SURE Chairman and his team, expressing confidence that the team would transparently and judiciously administer proceeds from the subsidy removal.

Sense of patriotism

In his remark, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed thanked RTEAN for its patriotism, sacrifice and sense of understanding. He said the action taken by RTEAN has shown that democracy was working in Nigeria and that sincerity and honesty in governance were beginning to permeate all sectors of the society. He said that he was proud of the association.

He said the Federal Government was aware of the initial pains that the deregulation would cause the populace adding that that was the reason why it took steps to cushion harsh effects.

He identified transportation as one of the sectors where the pains would be likely felt. He said it was a positive development that RTEAN has taken a very encouraging stand particularly as it relates to moderate pricing of transport fares.

The FCT Minister said the kind of synergy offered by RTEAN was the type needed to cushion the momentary painful effects of the deregulation exercise. He stated that in a national project like the subsidy issue, the sense of understanding of key stakeholders like RTEAN was crucial to the realization of set objectives.

Senator Mohammed commended the will power and foresight of President Goodluck Jonathan in taking the difficult decision to remove the subsidy in the overall interest of the nation and posterity stressing that if he wanted to play to the gallery he could have passed the buck to future administrations to the detriment of Nigeria’s economic survival.

On the divergent views being expressed by a cross-section of Nigerians on the subsidy matter, he said they were part of the democratic order. He however stressed the need for such views to be expressed within the ambits of the law.

Those present at the occasion include the RTEAN National President, Dr. Ajewole, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, his Labour counterpart, Barrister Chukwuemeka Wogu, RTEAN National Secretary, Alhaji Garba D. Navom and others.

Ugo