NULGE set to join nationwide strike

Mr. Ambali Olatunji, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has affirmed the union’s preparedness to partake in the nationwide strike set for Tuesday.

The Nigeria Labour Congress had previously announced an indefinite strike, scheduled to commence on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in response to the challenges arising from the Federal Government’s removal of oil subsidy.

Following the election of a new executive for the Ondo State Chapter of NULGE on Sunday in Akure, Olatunji stated that the union would actively participate in the strike.

He emphasized, “To prevent the NLC strike, President Bola Tinubu needs to show leadership. The hardship faced by Nigeria was brought about by the President’s proclamation on May 29, without a thorough understanding of the economic indicators.”

Olatunji acknowledged the necessity of subsidy removal but urged for a structured approach to mitigate its effects. He further criticized the country’s inability to maintain refineries and proposed utilizing modular refinery operators in the Niger Delta, advocating for skill enhancement and local tax collection to refine crude oil.

Expressing concern over the distribution of palliatives, he highlighted the need for equitable allocation and criticized the perceived politicization of the process. Olatunji also called for government support to local councils, focusing on equipment, infrastructure, and interventions for the benefit of the local communities.