The federal government and the leadership of the House of Representatives have assured the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) that the agreement reached with them would be implemented.
The union had at the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum embarked on a nationwide strike before the federal government reached an agreement with the union leaders.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a peace meeting with the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Agba, officials of BPE and leadership of the NUEE, urged the union to exercise higher tolerance before thinking of embarking on strike as their action could affect lives negatively.
He assured that the House would ensure that members of the union are henceforth treated rightly by the government to avoid the strike action they embarked upon on Wednesday, which paralysed economic activities in the country.
Despite the fact that an agreement was signed at a meeting held between the Ministry of Power and the NUEE, Gbajabiamila said the House should be included as a witness so that it would ensure that all issues agreed on are implemented.
He added that from all indications, the matter would be resolved permanently, adding that the issue was discussed on the floor of the House on Wednesday, but noted that the leadership of the House decided to address the issue not because the committee was not competence, but because of the seriousness and urgency of the matter.
He lamented that the seven-hour strike already had unintended consequences on Nigerians that might not be reported.
According to him, “The 9th National Assembly is for reformation. We have had so much about government perchance for not honouring agreement. We want to make that agreement a tripartite agreement and include the House of Representatives as part of it. We want to be part of the agreement as witnesses so that you can hold us accountable. That way, we’ll ensure that the government meets its part.”
