Indications emerged in the wee hours of today that the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, may, with a fiat, announce a new price for petrol in a nationwide broadcast today following the refusal of organized labour to budge from its position for a reversal to N65 in talks with the Federal Government.
A highly placed source at the meeting, who expressed disappointment with the position taken by the leadership of labour, told The Eagle Online that “it is very likely the President will address the nation today since labour has refused to move an inch from its position of N65.”
The source said that the price will be between N100 and N120.
As at press time at about 1.15a.m., the government delegation to the meeting was still meeting with Jonathan on the “way forward.”
The source added: “This is the worst delegation of labour I have ever encountered. How do you come to a negotiation with a fixed position and not even shift one bit? It is almost certain that the President will have to, using his position as the Commander-in-Chief, fix a price for petrol. And that will be done in a nationwide broadcast today.”
Among those who were at the meeting with Jonathan was the President of the Senate and head of government’s delegation to the talks with labour, Senator David Mark; the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba; and Senator Abdul Ningi.
Governors present included Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Babangida Aliyu of Niger State.
Ministers present included Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Finance and Head of the Economic Team), Dizeani Allison-Madueke (Petroleum Resources), Emeka Wogu (Labour) and Labaran Maku (Information).
Other top government officials included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; and the National Security Adviser, General Owoeye Azazi (rtd).
Mark had after the meeting hinted of a possible resumption of talks today.
But the source said that since it had become obvious that labour would not change its position, there was no need for a further meeting.
After both sides could not reach a compromise on Saturday at about 11.30p.m., the labour delegation left the venue of the meeting.
The implication of this, according to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, is that the status quo remains: the strike continues.
Omar said: “Until we reach compromise, status quo remains. We are yet to reach compromise. We will get back to our organ.”
By organ, Omar meant the National executive Committee of the NLC.
Omar’s interaction with newsmen:
“Is the meeting deadlocked?
“It is not deadlocked but we have not reached an agreement. We will meet again after we meet our organ.
“Is the strike continuing?
“Like I said the other time, if we have not reached a compromise, it means the status quo is maintained (strike continues).
President of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Peter Esele, said after the meeting that the union was yet to decide.
Esele told newsmen: “”Government offer (N120) is still there but we have not made up our minds.”
TUC’s official position is a reversal to N65.
The acting General Secretary of the NKC, Owei Lakemfa, told the media: “”You know it is a very simple thing as far as we are concerned and our position is very simple one. We were discussing and government was consulting with Nigerians and they said we will conclude discussion in the New Year. And then there was this increase. What we are advising is that government should just go back to that position we were before discussion and then we will also call off the strike and then we conclude discussion.”
Mark, who spoke with reporters after the meeting of the government delegation at about 12.15a.m., said: “We had very fruitful discussion and we are on the right path and the right path is to find an amicable solution that Nigerians will appreciate.
“It is a whole negotiation process and I think it is going on well.
“We are doing well and we want to bring this to a logical conclusion at the earliest possible time.”