The Oyo State government has thrown its
weight behind the Federal Government’s
decision to deregulate fuel pump price, just
as it warned public servants bent on
participating in the ongoing industrial action
to be ready to pay the price of ‘no work, no
pay.’
The government reminds its workforce that
the National Industrial Court had ruled
against the strike before the Comrade Ayuba
Wabba-led faction of the Nigeria Labour
Congress ordered its affiliate unions to
embark on the action last week.
In a statement released today by the
Secretary to the State Government, Mr.
Olalekan Alli, the government said
deregulation of the downstream oil sector
was the best option open to the Federal
Government in the prevailing circumstance.
Besides, he cautioned dissenters and non-
conformists against testing the resolve of law
enforcement agencies, who, he said, had the
constitutional mandate to crush any attempt
to breach the peace of the land.
The SSG urged members of the public to go
about their legitimate duties and obligations
without fear of intimidation and harassment,
warning individual or groups determined to
hide under the guise of protest to foment
trouble or engage in vandalism to have a
rethink. He, however, advocated the provision
of palliatives by the FG to cushion the
spiralling adverse effects of the new fuel
pump price regime on the citizens.
Alli said, “Deregulation appears the most
realistic approach to solving the unpalatable
experiences of the public in getting fuel at
affordable price pending the time the
necessary infrastructure for local refining of
crude oil will be upgraded and
expanded. Similarly, we assert that it is the
responsibility of those who are against this
government policy thrust, e.g. the organised
labour, civil society groups, etc, to canvass
public opinion against such policies without
resort to threat and the intimidation of those
who may chose not to agree with
them. Consequently, government warns
protesters and dissenters from taking the
laws into their hands under any guise that
may be construed as constituting public
nuisance and a breach of the peace. For the
avoidance of doubt, as ruled by the National
Industrial Court, the current strike is illegal
and consequently the 'no work no pay' policy
shall apply in the state’s public service.”
The SSG declared that change was an
inevitable phenomenon towards the
attainment of progress in the country, just as
he advised the government and the NLC to
consider each other as partners in service to
and progress of the country.
He advised labour leaders to embrace the
FG’s clarion call for further dialogue over the
matter for genuine mutually beneficial
interests to be further pursued.
Alli added, “However as this dialogue goes
on, members of the public are enjoined to
keep the peace, as anything otherwise will
attract sanctions by the law enforcement
agencies who are prepared to ensure there is
no breach of the peace.”
