The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its frustration with the Federal Government’s perceived lack of effort to address their demands in the wake of economic challenges following the removal of fuel subsidies.

Following a meeting on Monday that ended in a deadlock, NLC President Joe Ajaero spoke out about the government’s refusal to make concessions on several key issues during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Among the demands put forth by the NLC are addressing the consequences of petrol price increases, reviewing the minimum wage, providing a viable roadmap for the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), refurbishing the country’s refineries, and settling salary arrears for lecturers.

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Ajaero lamented, “They have not made any efforts on any issue. Even the issue as simple as cash transfer or bringing buses on the road, nothing has happened to them. So, it’s a lack of willingness, and we can’t muddle up all these issues.”

He also expressed frustration over the government’s characterization of the minimum wage as a “wage award,” emphasizing the need for clarity on this important issue.

Regarding the adoption of CNG vehicles, Ajaero cited a 2021 agreement with then-Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, stating that a million vehicles could be converted within three months, contrary to the government’s 2024 projection for deploying CNG buses for a more affordable mass transit system.

Ajaero questioned the delay, saying, “If anybody is telling you that until next year, nothing could be done, I’m telling you that the person is not telling us the truth.

What is so peculiar about next year when these processes will start? Is it that there are no CNG vehicles that can go onto the road, or we can’t have some stations, even with IPMAN saying that their filling stations are available?”