Faults national grid shutdown by organised labour
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has appealed to Nigerians to remain calm despite the economic challenges facing the country, as President Bola Tinubu is working to improve the economic fortunes of the country.
Speaking to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) National Executive Council (NEC), yesterday, in Abuja, Akume observed that the present administration took over a turbulent country, which foreign reserves and many other sectors were poorly managed.
The SGF listed various measures taken by the government to address hardship and urged organised labour not to act in a way that would jeopardise the Tinubu-led administration.
He said, “We took over in a very turbulent weather. Foreign reserves were zero, but there have been massive reforms carried out by the President. One of them, which appeared to be a bit tough for people to understand, is the fuel subsidy removal. People should stop shouting; they need to know the truth.” Akume noted that the President had been implementing palliatives to cushion the effect of the reforms.
“We are all aware of the N35,000 wage award for workers, which means a N30,000 minimum wage with extra N35,000. Additionally, N100 billion for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel buses will help reduce transportation costs and food prices,” he stated.
The SGF also highlighted the government’s efforts in supporting various sectors, including the allocation of N125 billion in conditional grants and financial inclusion for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and N150 billion in palliative loans to states to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
“We are providing 200 billion naira to support the cultivation of hectares of land, which is even more now,” he added. He condemned the shutdown of the national grid, labelling it as a treasonable offence. “Nowhere in the world has labour ever tampered with the national grid. It is treason! Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that.
“We are trying to rebuild the economy. The President is picking up, and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way,” he said.
The SGF also stressed the need for collaboration between the church and the government in providing essential services such as education, healthcare and agriculture. He added, “We don’t separate; we combine. There is a symbiotic relationship that can never be destroyed.
“Our people must rise up and have something in their pockets. It is not about demanding N100,000 without productivity. We are looking at controlling inflation and ensuring a balanced economy.”
