• Opens Up on Wage Deal
• Rejects Petrol Price Increase
• Disagree Over CNG Conversion Costs
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, has shed light on the negotiations between organized labour and President Bola Tinubu, which led to the acceptance of a N70,000 minimum wage during the national wage talks held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Ajaero disclosed that the labour leaders rejected an increase in petrol prices in exchange for the N70,000 offer.
Ajaero explained that while meeting with President Tinubu, the labour unions had initially proposed N250,000 as the new minimum wage but eventually settled for N70,000. “We were clear in our mandate. We were there to discuss the minimum wage, not petrol prices,” he stated.
Ajaero revealed that President Tinubu had suggested increasing the pump price of petroleum to meet labour’s demand for a N250,000 wage, but this was declined.
He narrated the president’s words during the meeting: “Ajaero, you are the person holding my hand from increasing further… I want to sponsor you people to travel to these West African countries to see how much they are paying for fuel.”
Ajaero noted that the labour delegation refused the offer to travel, insisting they were focused on discussing the wage alone. “We accepted the N70,000 without agreeing to any petrol price hike,” he reiterated.
CNG Conversion Controversy
Ajaero also addressed the disagreement over the cost of converting vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). He explained that the labour union had negotiated with experts who estimated the cost of CNG conversion at N300,000 per vehicle.
However, during subsequent talks with the government, officials announced a significantly higher conversion cost of N800,000. “This discrepancy derailed the CNG initiative,” Ajaero said, criticizing the government’s inflated costs.
He further stated that while the Federal Government has procured some CNG vehicles, the absence of refueling stations across the country makes these vehicles practically unusable. “A vehicle supposed to use CNG is as good as a carton if there’s no station to fill it,” he lamented.
Labour’s Stance on Petrol Price Hike
Addressing concerns about the rising cost of fuel, Ajaero emphasized that labour’s acceptance of the N70,000 wage was contingent on the president not raising petrol prices. “If the president increases it, we will have to discuss the implications,” he said, adding that the 70% rise in fuel costs has severely impacted transportation and other sectors.
He further criticized the government for failing to consult its social partners before implementing policies that burden workers. “Governance is not just about increasing electricity tariffs or fuel prices; it has to involve dialogue with all stakeholders,” Ajaero said.
Way Forward
The NLC president warned that workers are currently on edge and may struggle to continue commuting to work due to the rising cost of transportation. He called for an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike, stating, “If the president doesn’t reverse it, he has inflicted more injuries on Nigerians, and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.”
Ajaero also clarified why the NLC has not yet declared a strike, stating that the organization has a structured process for such decisions.
He assured that internal consultations with the Central Working Committee (CWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) would take place soon to determine the next course of action.
Expert Opinion: Lack of Gas Infrastructure
An economist, Kelvin Emmanuel, also appeared on the programme, criticizing the lack of infrastructure for the government’s CNG initiative. “There is no nationwide infrastructure for CNG. Without ‘Mother and Daughter’ stations across Nigeria, the initiative cannot succeed,” Emmanuel said. He argued that the government is putting the cart before the horse by focusing on CNG conversion without first ensuring adequate refueling infrastructure.
Calls for Reversal
A growing chorus of voices, including the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), have demanded the immediate reversal of the petrol price hike.
These groups, along with other stakeholders such as the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Baptist Conference, argue that the current policies are deepening the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
