Mr. Ambali Olatunji, who serves as the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has publicly announced his union’s full readiness to partake in the nationwide strike that is scheduled for Tuesday. This nationwide strike was originally called by the Nigeria Labour Congress in response to the hardship inflicted by the Federal Government’s decision to remove the oil subsidy.
Mr. Olatunji made these remarks in Akure, following the recent election of a new executive for the Ondo State Chapter of NULGE. During his address, he emphasized the necessity for leadership to tackle the economic consequences resulting from the removal of the subsidy. Olatunji offered a suggestion that involved the effective utilization of modular refineries in the Niger Delta and urged the government to consider licensing and taxing them to refine crude oil domestically. He emphasized that this approach could create employment opportunities and support local communities while reducing the burden on foreign exchange reserves.
Furthermore, Olatunji voiced his concerns about the government’s handling of palliative measures, alleging that the distribution had become politicized. He pointed out that the scale of government needed to be reduced and advocated for a limit on the number of ministers while proposing the appointment of special advisers for other positions. He also stressed the importance of the government providing support to local councils in terms of equipment and infrastructure development.
In essence, Mr. Olatunji’s statement underscores NULGE’s commitment to joining the nationwide strike and highlights his views on various critical issues, including the economic impact of the subsidy removal, the utilization of modular refineries, the distribution of palliatives, and support for local governments.
