Despite a court order, organised labour has vowed to go ahead with its strike action on Wednesday over the increment of the price of a litre of petrol from N86:50 to N145.
It said the only way it would shelve the strike action was for the Federal Government to reach on agreement with labour leaders on Tuesday in Abuja.
To prove its readiness, members of the Joint Action Front (JAF) staged a protest in Lagos on Tuesday, mobilising the people to prepare for the strike.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress Nigeria (TUC) declared that if there was no agreement between labour leaders and the government on Tuesday night, all its members must embark on strike immediately.
A statement by the State Administrative Committee “directs ALL affiliates of TUC in Rivers State to be on alert as we await the outcome of the meeting between the Federal Government and the National leadership of TUC/NLC. It is our plea and hope that the meeting will resolve the issues and address the concerns of the labour movement with respect to the hike of fuel price from N86.50 per litre to N145 per litre.
“However, in the unfortunate event that the meeting is unable to resolve the issues and concerns of the labour movement and our National leadership insist that we proceed on Strike in line with the Communique issued at the end of The Emergency Meeting of The National Executive Council (NEC) Of The Trade Union Congress Of Nigeria (TUC) Held On Friday 13th May 2016 At The Airport Hotel, Lagos, THEN ALL AFFILIATES AND MEMBERS OF TUC IN RIVERS STATE ARE HEREBY DIRECTED TO COMPLY FULLY AND PROCEED ON STRIKE FROM THE MIDNIGHT OF TODAY.
“If, however, the meeting ends on a good note and there is no need for strike, then all affiliates and our members should go about their normal business.
The Strike Monitoring and Enforcement Committee headed by Comrade Austin Jonah which supervised the Protest against the 45% Electricity hike is hereby directed to monitor and enforce this Strike.
Solidarity Forever”.
Earlier in the day, the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordered the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on its planned strike over the removal of fuel subsidy pending the determination of the suit filed by the Federal Government against the moves.
President of the court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, granted the exparte application which was moved by the Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The court further treated an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant/respondent from demonstration or engaging in any action that may disrupt the Economic activities of the country pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
Justice Adejumo, while granting the exparte order, urged the Federal Government and NLC to implore an amicable settlement of the dispute.
He regretted the absence of the NLC and TUC in court and added that the court would have advice them to go for alternative dispute resolution.
Meanwhile, the case has been assigned to Justice Benedict Kanyie of the Lagos Division of the court who is expected to sit in Abuja for adjudication.
In a 26-paragraph affidavit in support of the originating summons, the Federal Government blamed the removal of subsidy on huge sums of money and negative activities of marketers and importers who were diverting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to unknown destination, thereby causing hardship to the Nigerian citizens.
The affidavit, which was deposed to by one Mr. Enoch Simon in the litigation department of the AGF, explained that the Federal government considering the above fact decided to deregulate the petroleum sector though a policy shift that will ensure for a better Nigeria.
“That the Federal did not include or make any provision in the 2016 Appropriation Act just passed by the National Assembly and assented by President Buhari for payment of fuel subsidy.
The matter has been adjourned to May 24, 2016.
