January 12, 2012 by Olalekan Adetayo and Josiah Oluwole, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan has begun a meeting with the Senate President, David Mark; and some governors on the demand of the Labour movement and civil society for the restoration of fuel subsidy and the reversion of the pump price from N141 to N65.

The meeting began at 5pm at the Presidential Villa and Labour is demanding that government must revert from N141 to N65.

THE PUNCH learnt that the Labour and civil society delegation led by the presidents of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, and Trade Congress, Mr. Peter Esele, and some civil society groups joined the meeting at 6.30pm.

Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; and Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), are attending the meeting. Also at the meeting are the governors of Rivers State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Lagos, Babatunde Fashola; Cross River, Liyel Imoke; Edo, Adams Oshiomhole; Benue, Gabriel Suswam; Niger, Babangida Aliyu; and Anambra, Peter Obi.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, and the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Dieziani Alison-Madueke; are also at the meeting.

A press briefing is expected to hold after the meeting to announce a solution to the general strike, widespread anger and protests over the government’s removal of fuel subsidy on January 1, 2012.

Jonathan and Sambo left shortly after the Labour leaders arrived at the meeting venue.

The strike and protests entered their fourth day today.

Earlier in the day, Mark confirmed that the meeting would hold, in a short interview with Senate correspondents in Abuja.

Speaking after meeting with Labour leaders at his residence, Mark said the Senate had succeeded in getting both sides to discuss the January 1, 2012 controversial removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

“Our efforts are to ensure that Labour and government sit down to discuss the issues and I think we have achieved that. There is going to be a meeting today between the government and the leadership of Labour,” Mark said.

Omar and Esele also confirmed the 5pm meeting.

The Senate president had on Thursday morning led a delegation of senators to the Presidential Villa for a short meeting with Jonathan and senior government officials.

The Senate and House of Representatives had at separate sittings called on Jonathan to revert to N65, in the interest of the nation, and enter into serious negotiations with Labour.

Also, eminent Nigerians such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Shehu Shagari; clerics, politicians; and leaders of thought had pleaded with Jonathan to revert the price.

-Punch

 

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