The government's breach of the agreement with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sparked discontent, as officials have allegedly jeopardized lives by purchasing "used" mass transit buses. This deviation from the agreed terms comes in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal, prompting the unions to announce an indefinite strike starting on October 3.
However, on October 2, the nationwide strike was abruptly halted by the TUC, NLC, and other union leaders. The government had initially committed to allocating N100 billion for the procurement of high-capacity Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to enhance mass transit in Nigeria. Additionally, provisions were promised for 55,000 CNG conversion kits to launch an auto gas conversion program, accompanied by the establishment of state-of-the-art CNG stations nationwide. The rollout was scheduled to commence by November, featuring pilot programs across 10 campuses nationwide.
The apparent deviation from the promised acquisition of new buses and the alleged purchase of "used" ones has not only angered the labor unions but has also raised concerns about compromising the safety and well-being of citizens dependent on public transportation. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges and negotiations between the government and labor unions in addressing the economic impacts of the fuel subsidy removal, with implications for the country's mass transit system and the broader labor movement.
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