The federal government on Thursday announced N5 billion palliative to each of the 36 states to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy.
It also set up an ad hoc committee to engage with the leadership of labour unions.
These are some of the decisions reached at the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja.
A statement by the office of the vice president after the meeting said the members of the committee comprise the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State; Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo; Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
Council also received progress reports on the ongoing nationwide distribution of rice, grains, fertiliser, and other items to states and N5 billion financial support, provided by the federal government and commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their interventions,” the statement said.
It said, “The committee will liaise with the leadership of labour unions in the country to find a way forward on the emerging issues in the interest of the nation.”
President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies during his inauguration on 29 May.
Following the hardship provoked by the decision across the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) called out its members for a nationwide strike and protest on 2 August. They protested against the hike in the price of petrol.
The strike was, however, suspended after the government held a meeting with the two unions.
In a bid to create a forum for dialogue towards resolving issues surrounding the petrol subsidy removal across the States, the National Economic Council (NEC) has constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to engage with the leadership of labour unions.
The decision was reached at the 135th meeting of NEC chaired by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Thursday.
The committee comprises the Nigerian Governors Forum Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Governor of Anambra State,Chukwuma Soludo; Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
Vice President said the committee will liaise with the leadership of labour unions in the country to find a way forward on the emerging issues in the interest of the nation.
Council also received progress reports on the ongoing nationwide distribution of rice, grains, fertilizer, other items to States and N5 billion financial support, provided by the Federal Government and commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their interventions.
Council then noted various interventions by State governments and urged them to upscale the distribution of palliatives towards alleviating the suffering of citizens especially the vulnerable groups.
NEC also mourned the death of some military personnel in Niger State and observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased, while commiserating with their families.
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