Energy Briefs
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THE federal government appears to be amenable to discuss with the organised labour over the increase in electricity tariff increase which started on February 1. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said that the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari was open to dialogue with organised labour on the issue, urging Nigerians not to term the new tariff as wicked.
Speaking with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, on Tuesday, February 23, Osinbajo said that it was important to note that the present administration was made possible through the people’s will. In a statement by his media aide, Osinbajo said that even if the government and the people disagree, it was still necessary to sit on a round table and dialogue.
“We are here for the people, if not for the people, we will not be here. We got here by the grace of God and the votes of the man on the street who felt it’s time for change. Even if we disagree, we must still talk. The reason is that the government itself is the government of the people. Nobody is in government by inheritance.
“We are here today because the people chose us and that is the reason we must be prepared to listen to issues that concern Nigerians. We will take a look at all the issues carefully. We are here for the people and we want to identify with the people. We are open to your suggestions, but it is not enough to say it is a wicked tariff. We must answer the question how,” he said.
Osinbajo, however, enjoined all Nigerians to support government in the fight against corruption, adding that “if you don’t fight corruption, you cannot even deal with the economy. You need to hold corrupt people accountable because they stole the money meant for the economy.”
— Mar 7, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT
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