Presidency Sets Up 15-man Panel On Palliatives For Nigerians

The Federal government has constituted a 15-man technical panel to consider suggestions and contribution from all relevant parties on the N500bn social investment in the 2016 budget as palliatives to cushion the effect of the petrol price increase.

The committee headed by Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, is part of the agreement reached between the government, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

A statement by the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, said the trade unions will provide seven members of the committee with TUC and the Ayuba Wabba-led NLC providing five members. The Ajaero-led faction will provide two members.

The government’s representatives on the committee are:
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Minister of Finance, Minister of Solid Minerals; Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, representative of Office of the Head of service and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The statement said: “based on the above efforts by all concerned parties, all industrial actions by members of the NLC and TUC shall be stayed in order to provide a conducive industrial relations atmosphere for the effective and efficient implementation of the Federal Government’s policies to realise the targeted goals and objectives”.

The statement asked the affected trade unions to submit all their nominees before close of work to enable their inauguration on Monday.

The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks and begin the palliatives for Nigerians.