Leadership (Abuja)
Moses John
13 January 2009
Abuja — In the aftermath of the global meltdown, there are strong indications that the Federal government may reduce the prices of petroleum products.
Minister of Labour and Productivity Prince Adetokunbo Kayode dropped the hint yesterday while speaking in Abuja during separate meetings with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC).Prince Kayode said government will do everything within its powers to support and alleviate the suffering of the masses. .
Said the minister: "On the issue of the prices of petroleum products, you know that it is the minister of petroleum that should be talking about that , but be assured that government is doing everything within its power to support the poor masses of this country".
Prince Adetokumbo added that president Yar,Adua administration is committed in moving Nigeria forward in the area of social security and enhancing job creation so as to quench the impact of global economy meltdown and other social problems in the country.
On the# 52,200 minimum wage demanded by Labour, said government have received the letter on the demand and assured that a meeting between government and the organized Labour will soon be summoned to discuss the issue so to avert any planned industrial action by the workers.
Meanwhile the organized Labour said the nation's refineries can be fixed and remain in production only if government summons courage and does the right thing in ensuring the availability of the products.
NLC President Comrade Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Omar while speaking on the cutting down in the prices of petroleum products said, " at the present situation, government is saving almost #600m everyday, perhaps there should be wisdom in utilizing the money judiciously by way of ensuring that our refineries are back to work.
"If our refineries are put to work today, certainly the burden will have been much less for government; but we believe that the continued importation of refined petroleum products by government is a matter of choice "Omar said.
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