Full text of the statement of  TUC, jointly signed by the President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa-Lawal M. Ozigi, 

Full text of the statement of  TUC, jointly signed by the President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa-Lawal M. Ozigi, at the NEC meeting which took place Friday 22 January 2022 in Abuja.

Preamble
The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) took place on 22nd January, 2022 at the Conference Hall, Chida Hotel, Jabi, Abuja.

The President of the Congress, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, FCIA, MNIM in his opening remarks welcomed NEC members to the august organ meeting of the Congress. He thanked the Almighty God for a new year and prayed that the Congress will be more prosperous and victorious this year.

The President urged members present to make issue-based contributions and suggestions that will impact positively on the welfare of Nigerian Workers and the overall development of the country.

He informed NEC members that the outbreak of Omicron virus has posed more danger to public health globally, hence, the need for members of the Congress to continue to observe all COVID-19 safety protocols. Comrade Quadri Olaleye in his remarks also charged members of the Congress and their families to be security conscious and ensure personal safety at all times.

The National Executive Council-in-Session after exhaustive discussions on the agenda of the meeting and consideration of various reports presented by appropriate organs of the Congress observed and resolved as follows:

1. NEC-in-Session in discussing the State of the Nation observed with serious concern the worrisome economic situation and the rising cost of living in the country

2. NEC-in-Session observed the perennial state of insecurity across the country which has continued to threaten security of lives, livelihood and properties of the Nigerian citizens across the country.

3. The proposed final removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and payment of palliatives to forty millions extremely poor Nigerians also attracted the attention of the NEC-in- Session with a lot of reservations and critical analyses.

4. The need for economic diversification with main focus on agricultural production was noted by NEC-in- Session as a panacea to economic recovery and national transformation capable of generating mass employment.

5. NEC-in- Session observed with dismay the ongoing job loss and financial insolvency in some electricity distribution companies in Nigeria. NEC-in- Session was particularly worried about issues associated with the privatisation of the Power sector.

Resolutions
NEC-in- Session after exhaustive deliberations, resolved as follows:

1. Federal and State Governments should put in place measures to ameliorate the suffering of the people through food security and infrastructural development.

2. The Proposal by National Council of State on the final removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as from June 2022 should take into consideration the attendant economic impact on the masses. There must be assurances that refineries are fully overhauled and establishment of modular refineries encouraged.
3. While acknowledging the giant stride in rice production through various interventions of the Buhari’s administration, the Federal Government should ensure that price of rice in the market become affordable to the common man in order to justify the rice revolution policy of the administration.

4. Federal Government must exhibit political will in its economic diversification programmes with major focus on agricultural production. The development of the agricultural value chain can create mass employment and put the country on the path of economic recovery and prosperity.

5. The privatisation of the power sector should be reviewed since the contracts have expired to ensure viability, job security and effectiveness of the sector.

6. NEC-in-Session insist that Federal Government MUST ensure that the conditions precedent put forward by the TUC on the deregulation of the downstream such as; the revitalization of existing refineries, establishment of new ones including modular refineries, effective policing of boarders to stem the rate of petroleum products smuggling, e t c are implemented.

7. NEC-in-Session enjoined Congress members nation-wide to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and ensure active participation in the democratic process ahead of 2023 general elections. Members are also urged to support the Political Commission of the Congress in creating groundswell awareness for providing leadership alternatives that deliver on democratic dividends and transformative governance to the people.

8. Finally, NEC-in-Session has mandated the Congress led by the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that these conditions are met before SUBSIDY is removed. Consequently, NEC-in-Session directs State Councils and affiliates to commence mobilisation of members for industrial actions against SUBSIDY removal without Government fulfilling conditions precedent.