*Hails Supreme Court Judgment On LG Autonomy
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has said that Nigerian workers, as the driving force of the country, deserve improved welfare, better wages and safe and enhanced working conditions.
The President stated this on Thursday, July 11, in Abuja, while speaking with the leadership of the organised labour, led by the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, respectively.
Tinubu said he was concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and his administration was prioritising their concerns, adding: “I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker, and society depends on the productivity of the happy worker.”
He, however, called for realistic expectations regarding the minimum wage question, noting: “You have to cut your coat according to available cloth. Before we can finalise on the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure.
“Why must we adjust wages every five years? Why not two or three years? What is a problem today can be eased up tomorrow.
“There is much dynamism to this process if we are not myopic in our approaches. We can take a surgical approach that is based on pragmatism and a deep understanding of all factors.”
Ajaero emphasised the need for an upward adjustment to the minimum wage, noting: “Between living wage and minimum wage, we need to find a balance. Things are difficult for the Nigerian worker.”
He congratulated the President on the judgment of the Supreme Court affirming the constitutional rights of local governments to financial autonomy and other salient principles, noting: “I have to congratulate you on the issue of local government autonomy.
“We have been on the streets protesting for local government autonomy. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it will amount to ungratefulness if we fail to commend you.”
On his part, Osifo said inflation had adversely affected the value of the Naira and that the measures initiated by the government to address the rising cost of food and transportation needed to kick in to give citizens relief.
He stated that the roll out of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses would help in checking the high cost of transportation, while the recent directive on the suspension of duty on certain food imports would bring down the prices of food items, if properly implemented.
Osifo said: “We commend you on the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court. History will not forget what has happened today. With this judgement, we believe Nigeria will make progress.”
Meanwhile, Tinubu has hailed the Supreme Court judgment. The President, in a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, underscored the importance of the ruling, which he described as a reaffirmation of the constitution.
The President said ineffective local government administration has been a significant obstacle to national progress, with governance at the grassroots level nearly non-existent, stating: “The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation or any other artificial line they say exists between us.
“This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgment, our people, especially the poor, will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.”
Tinubu stressed that the onus is now on local council leaders to deliver people-oriented services and ensure Nigerians at the grassroots feel the impact of governance, just as he expressed confidence that the judgment would allow local officials elected by the people to control local resources transparently and effectively.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgment will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people,
“This judgment stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” he stated
The President noted that the provision of essential amenities and public goods has been hampered due to the weakening of local governments and commended the apex court for upholding the constitutional rights of local governments, particularly regarding financial autonomy, describing the decision as historic and a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s federal structure for national development.
Tinubu also lauded the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for his diligent and patriotic efforts in this critical legal battle, restating his administration’s commitment to protecting the principles of governance and ensuring a performance-driven system that benefits every Nigerian.
