The Trade Union Congress on Thursday commended the Federal Government’s decision not to sell the nation’s four refineries.
Labour leaders from the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria had on Tuesday reached an agreement with the Federal Government on the refineries.
“The Federal Government is not selling the nation’s refineries,” a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting between the representatives of both parties said in part.
They agreed that turn-around maintenance would be carried out in the refineries.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama, described the development as a pointer to the fact that the government was listening to constructive criticism.
Kaigama said: “It is the best thing that has happened because there is no way the government can go on and sell the refineries without critical stakeholders’ input.
“So, government has done the right thing by rescinding its decision to sell the refineries.
“We commend the government for heeding calls and advise that it should reverse its decision.”
The labour leader advised all parties in the agreement to ensure that they kept their commitments.
He added: “An agreement is an agreement.
“It is expected that when people go into an agreement, it is binding on all parties.
“It is expected that whatever agreement was reached at that meeting would be respected and implemented to the letter.”
Kaigama urged employers of labour to always see their employees as partners in progress.
He said: “We want to see a situation where employers and employees see themselves as partners in progress; anything affecting one invariable affects the other.
“Any round table discussion on issues that affect a particular industry is always a commendable thing all over the world.”
He also commended the government for issuing an ultimatum to the new private investors in the power sector to provide stable electricity supply within six months.
He added: “If those companies have gone into contract with the government to provide power at a particular time, there is no reason for them to fail.
“It is good that the government gave them an ultimatum.
“We hope it yields some results.”
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