NLC protest: We’ve been consulting Labour Union for decision making – Bauchi Government

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

The Deputy Governor of Bauchi state, Rt. Honourable Mohammed Auwal Jatau disclosed on Tuesday that, decisions regarding labour matters have not been taken by the state government without consultation and collaboration with the Labour Union.

Rt. Honourable Mohammed Auwal Jatau who stated this while addressing the organized during the Nationwide protests in Bauchi, assured them that he will deliver their message to Governor Bala Mohammed of the state for onward transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“There wasn’t any decision taken as far as my knowledge is concerned without collaboration, without consultation, without working together with the Bauchi state Labor union”, he said.

“We are taking the paper from the Chairman for onward transmission to His Excellency the Governor, the most working governor in Nigeria, Dr Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for further transmission to the President of the country, Ahmed Bola Tinubu in Sha Allah, soonest at the fastest time possible”, the deputy Governor assured.

While saluting the organized Labour, Rt. Honourable Jatau informed the protesters that Bauchi state government is for them, adding that his assertion can be attested to by the chairman of the NLC and his Trade union council counterpart.

He said that the collaborative and consultative spirit between the present administration and the organized Labour can be attested to by their leaders.

“We assure you that we are working towards what you are here for and in sha Allahu wa ta’ala you will find Bauchi state government and the governor of Bauchi state with you in whichever situation”, he said.

Rt. Honourable Jatau assured that the Governor Bala Mohammed led administration is working positively to ensure that needs of the organized Labour are been addressed holistically.

Earlier speaking, the Bauchi state chapter Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Dauda M. Shuaibu recalled that Nigerian workers were thrown into untold hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his inaugural speech in May 29 last year.

“Consequently, the prices of commodities skyrocketed in the market, the worker became the victim. A bag of rice then was N20,000, a liter of petrol was N165 and the salary was N30,000, and now a bag of rice is N70,000, bag of maize is N60,000 while the salary remains N30,000”, he said.

According to NLC Chairman, the sudden change prompted them to call a national executive council meeting and thereafter tabled their grievances before the federal government which prompted the FG to form a Committee on palliative.

Shuaibu who recalled that 8 weeks deadline was given to the Committee to submit their report lamented that the Committee has not able to do so up to this day.

Comrade Shuaibu explained that before embarking on today’s protest, a 14 day ultimatum was issued to the federal government, disclosed that if their grievances are not addressed within one week from today, the leaders should expect a total shut down of the country.