Lawrence Olaoye 
…restates commitment to delivery if infrastructure, reduction in transport cost
President Bola Tinubu has told the leadership of the organized labour to study his political trajectory declaring that he had never been found wanting in ameliorating the sufferings of workers.
President Tinubu said this on Thursday in his comments at the meeting with labour leaders led by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo at the Presidential Villa.
The meeting finally resolved the impasse between the Federal Government and the unions with both parties settling for N70,000 as the minimum wage for workers.
According to a press release by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu who assured the labour leaders that the approved N70,000 minimum wage would be reviewed in the next three years instead of the statutory five years, told them that he had to intervene in the negotiations, knowing the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians, and the need to provide urgent succour.
“I have heard all your presentations. You came here with the intention to get something on behalf of your members. It has been tough globally.
“And if you review my track record, I have never been found wanting in ameliorating the problems of workers. I belong to the people and to all of you in leadership. Without you, this job is not interesting.
“You challenged the thinking faculty of leadership, and we have reviewed the position. I have consulted widely, and when the tripartite committee submitted their reports, I reviewed them again and started to think and rethink.
“Last week, I brought the workload to you because we have a timeline. We have a problem, and we recognize that you have a problem too.
“We are in the same economy. We are in the same country. We may have different rooms, different addresses, and different houses; we are just members of one family that must care for each other.
“We must look at the parameters of things. Here, I have a speed limit, and I must pay attention to traffic warnings; slippery when wet, curved roads, and be careful not to have an accident. That is why I went as far as having this meeting today.
“We are driving this economy together. Let us look at the tenure of review. Let us agree on that, and affirm three years. Two years is too short. We affirm three years. We will review.
“I am going to move from the tripartite committee. I am going to edge a little bit forward, looking at the review that we have done.
“Yes, no one in the federal establishment should earn less than N70,000. So, we are going to benchmark at N70,000,’’ the President said.
He explained that renewing the hope of Nigerians extended to providing infrastructure that would improve their livelihoods and create an inclusive economy that all can participate and benefit.
The President said the government was committed to reducing the cost of transportation with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses, which would be cheaper and efficient, and also assured the labour unions of providing buses that will be deployed across the country.
At the meeting, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, thanked the President for his consideration of issues as the “Father of the Nation’’ and scheduling two meetings to resolve the initial impasse.
“Mr. President, at the tripartite meeting, and the resolutions of the government, Organized Private Sector and labour unions; we were all united as one family to promote and grow our economy, and deepen our democracy, by implication to the benefit of all. Basically, that is what we are saying today.
“We have a listening President here,’’ the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said.
The Presidents of the NLC and TUC thanked the President for creating time to host two meetings on the review of the national minimum wage.
