The Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has asked organised labour to reject the federal government’s proposed palliatives aimed at cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Obaseki said the proposed palliatives by President Bola Tinubu-led administration “is a continuation of fraud the Federal government has always undertaken against the people of Nigeria”.
The governor stated this in Benin City; while addressing protesting members of the organised labour led by Comrade Odion Olaye, the Edo State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The organised labour were protesting fuel price hike due to the removal of subsidy.
Continuing, Obaseki said: “We, in Edo State, will support your action that your wages must reflect the current realities.
“The so-called money for the palliatives should be given to the local government areas to take care of people.
“So, we must stop this palliative fraud from the Federal Government. I want to call on labour to reject this palliative.
“Let them give the local government areas the money to give the people because the government that is closest to the people is the local government.
“Federal government has no business buying grains or palliative across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
“Recall on May day, this year, I warned you that we are likely to face the condition we are seeing today. And, I advised you in that speech that you should not wait but to be proactive and be ahead of the game.”
President Tinubu had in a national broadcast unveiled N500bn palliative for manufacturers, small businesses and farmers.
He also released plans to increase salaries and acquire 3,000 mass transit buses. (Blueprint)
