Minister says technical committee on fuel price hike has resumed sitting

The Technical Committee constituted by the Federal Government and members of workers unions to consider the issues raised over the increment in petrol price has resumed sitting.

Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that the committee has had its inaugural meeting.

Ngige, also the chairman of the committee, said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal inaugurated the committee with terms of reference predicated on three issues.

``We were asked to look into the enthronement of a frame work of a national committee that will discuss the issue of minimum wage for the entire country.

``We were also asked to look into the suggestions of all parties, both government and the organised labour centre unions on how we can give amelioration to workers and Nigerians in general.

`` The third aspect of our work has been substantially done and that is the recommendation on the composition of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Board.

``As a committee, we have started our work I am happy to report to you that our deliberations are cordial without ruffling of feathers”, he said.

He said the technical committee would at the end of it deliberations submit its report and recommendations to the committee of the whole house.

``We were asked to make recommendations that will be subject to review by the committee of the whole house.

``This committee of the whole house is also to look at our recommendation in terms of the framework for the national committee on the review of the national minimum wage”, Ngige added.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of NLC, said the organised labour was participating fully in the committee’s assignment to ensure that the outcome was in the interest of Nigerians.

``The committee was inaugurated today and has gone into addressing its mandates and other associated issues.

``Invariably, we have tried to look at the issues of the framework for the minimum wage and the palliatives on the effects of the hike in petrol price.

``The work is in progress and in good faith, we have committed ourselves at driving the process effectively”, he said.