The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has resolved to set up a Committee to interface with the National Economic Council (NEC), the Labour Unions, and relevant stakeholders for the overall interest of the nation.
The committee will be chaired by governor of Jigawa, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kwara, Gombe, Abia and Bayelsa.
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The resolution followed the plan by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an indefinite national strike action over the recent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and electricity tariff.
The governors of the 36 States in a communiqué issued at the end of the 18th NGF Teleconference Emergency meeting held on Thursday, September 24, 2020 agreed to intercede with the labour unions, the Federal Government and other stakeholders with a special call on labour to exercise caution in its plan to embark on strike action.
The communiqué which was released on Friday and signed by NGF Vice Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal noted that any such action would worsen the already deteriorating economic situation of the workers brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NGF Secretariat promised to provide relevant support to the Committee on the details of the mechanism for deregulation put in place by the federal government.
The governors called for an Emergency NEC meeting as soon as the Committee comes up with a common position on the deregulation of both the petroleum and power sectors and the figures laid bare for all to see.
The governors advised that any position taken by the forum should not be seen to be contrary or injurious to the position they have always maintained in support of deregulation.
Governors insisted that subsidy in the petroleum sector, apart from promoting corruption in petroleum pricing and distribution, brings about loss of revenues to the three tiers of government and loss of jobs to the populace.
The forum members, while expressing concern over the call for a national strike action, suggested the provision of a cushioning arrangement to ameliorate the effect of subsidy removal.
The governors, who confirmed during the meeting that an Industrial Court had barred labour from embarking on its planned industrial action, nevertheless decided to use the intervening period to mediate between the stakeholders.
The emergency meeting was convened also deliberated on ALGON Vs FAAC deduction of Local Government Council (LGC) statutory allocation for the construction of primary healthcare centers in each of the 774 local government areas (LGAs).
The governors voiced serious concern over deductions from the Federation Allocation of the 774 LGAs of the country to construct and equip healthcare centres in each local government area on behalf of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON).
The forum rejected the legality and the legitimacy of the contract, including all financing arrangements.
The forum resolved to call on the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed as well as the Accountant General of the Federation not to disburse to receiving entities monies already deducted for the construction of primary healthcare centre in each of the 774 LGAs and that further deductions should be halted forthwith.
The NGF equally constituted a Committee comprising the Governors of Ekiti (Chairman), Ebonyi, Delta, Gombe, Plateau, and Kano States to represent State and local governments on the matter.
The Committee will also approach Mr. President, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, the National Judicial Council and the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to appeal against the judgement.
