Moses Ofodeme
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Minister Mohammed Idris, has announced that the Federal Government has waived valued-added tax (VAT) on diesel for six months.
This is likely to reduced cost of the commodity and support production in the industrial sector.
Idris, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday after a meeting between government officials and Labour Unions over the latter’s planned industrial action.
“VAT on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months,” he said, noting that it was part of the resolutions reached during the meeting with organised labour in Abuja.
While one of Labour’s demands is to cushion the rising cost of transportation via the use of alternative energy sources, the Minister said the government is “committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy”.
Apart from this, the government said it is committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above,” the statement further added.
Our Correspondent reports that the Federal Government, on Sunday, October 1, 2023 met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on measures to address the dispute arising from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
At the meeting, the Federal Government announced N25,000 only as provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid Federal Government workers for six months.
The Federal Government also made commitment to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy, provide funds for micro and small-scale enterprises and waived Value Added Tax, VAT on diesel will be waived for the next 6 mont.
The Federal Government said it will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.
In light of the discussions held during the meeting, the Minister said the issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.
The Labour Unions argued for higher wage award and the Federal Government Team promised to present Labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
Also, it was said at the meeting that a sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.
It was discussed that the NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.
Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The Labour Union delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, TUC, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others.