September 26, (THEWILL) – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned nationwide strike.
He said embarking on strike at this time would only aggravate an already bad situation.
Speaking while delivering his remarks titled “Time to Walk the Talk” to the members at the Plenary on the resumption of the House from its annual recess on Tuesday, the Speaker urged the NLC to consider the various actions being taken by the Federal Government to alleviate the current hardship faced by Nigerians.
He said the House of Representatives remains committed to getting a survival wage to all Nigerian workers.
“The 10th House had assured Nigerians that we would be interfacing between the organised labour and the government to quickly work out a realistic new national minimum wage and such other palliatives to enable citizens to cope with the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal, the downward fall of the naira to the dollar, skyrocketing cost of food and general high cost of living in the country.
“It is our considered opinion that embarking on a nationwide strike at this point will only aggravate an already bad situation. I, therefore, urge the leadership of Labour Unions to give us the benefit of doubt and suspend any planned strike action while we engage the executive,” he said.
He also spoke about the enormous challenges confronting the nation, saying they are challenges that will engage the attention of the House in the coming days and months.
He said, “National security remains precarious even in the face of numerous successes recorded by our gallant security personnel. Only a few days ago, the nation was rocked by the gruesome murder of a joint team of security personnel in Ehime Mbano of Imo State.
“A similar sad incident happened in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State when scores of soldiers were ambushed and gruesomely murdered by terrorists. Sadly, some female students of the Federal University, Gusau were abducted by terrorists while there were reports of travellers being kidnapped along the Opi-Enugu Road.
“Furthermore, Superintendent Okpolonwo Agbashim, Divisional Police Officer in Ahoada Local Government Area of Rivers State, was brutally murdered by deadly cultists. In Zaria, Kaduna State, the Central Mosque collapsed, resulting in fatalities while residents of Trade More Estate in Abuja suffered extensive losses owing to a devastating perennial flood.
“There were equally distressing reports of attacks in communities in Plateau State. These are just a few examples of what happened as I believe some of you may have one experience or the other.
“While we mourn the loss of fellow citizens, who had to pay the supreme price in the line of duty, we must condemn these attacks on the state and citizens in the strongest terms. However, our best response will be the deployment of our legislative powers and instruments to ensure the security of life and property across the country.”
The Speaker said the economic challenges remain as daunting as they were before the House went on recess.
“The country is challenged on several economic fronts: cost of living crisis occasioned by the high cost of energy, cost of food is skyrocketing daily, lack of livable wages, the negative effects of the unpredictable and fluctuating foreign exchange rates, a disappearing middle class and a host of other issues.
“When people are hungry and despondent, what is needed is a leadership with a clear vision; a leadership that on a daily basis, demonstrates its commitment and capacity to tackle the challenges at hand; a leadership that should be innovative in proffering short and long-term solutions. That is what Nigerians need at this time and as Representatives of the people, we must rise to the occasion.
“While the Executive Arm of government is engaging the citizens and trying to work out strategies to tackle the hardship in the country, our legislative actions must, therefore, be dictated by a clear robust vision aimed at supporting the executive in restoring our citizens on the path of prosperity.
“We must deploy the necessary legislative instruments to create jobs, ensure payment of living wages in the civil service, pull Nigerians out of poverty, address the prevailing infrastructure deficit, rid the country of crippling insurgency, ensure the security of lives and property and affordable functional education so that no child is left behind,” he said.
Hon. Tajudeen said it has not been entirely woes and gloom for the nation, adding that only recently, President Ahmed Tinubu recorded a huge diplomatic and economic breakthrough with the United Arab Emirates, which would see the resumption of issuance of visas to Nigerians by the UAE and the return of Emirates Airlines to Nigerian skies.
“We equally recorded some major economic agreements in India just as we had a productive outing at the recently concluded 78 General Assembly of the United Nations,” he added.
He urged the House to give the 2023 Supplementary Bill as well as the 2024 Appropriation Bill, which he said will soon be presented by the executive arm before the House, a speedy consideration.
“It is expected that the time to consider these Bills will be short, but we must roll up our sleeves and get to work immediately and ensure the speedy consideration of the bills that will encapsulate the yearnings of the people.
“While we will maintain the tradition established by the 9th House in terms of speedy consideration of the appropriation bills, we must diligently consider the bills to ensure that they meet the needs of our constituents. We have to put in extra work hours to ensure that the budget is passed in good time to enable its implementation from the first day of 2024.
“Our nation and indeed this 10th House of the People does not have the luxury of time in the face of profound national challenges. We must, therefore, do everything within our power to champion causes towards addressing the yearnings of our people.
“On this score, our goals are clear, and our determination unrivalled. We must key into the Legislative Agenda of this House as a roadmap towards navigating our numerous challenges. Our bills, motions, resolutions, actions and more should mirror the Legislative Agenda being a joint product between the House and citizens,” he said.
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
