Akpabio berates labour for shutting down national grid, Says It’s economic sabotage

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has labeled the decision of organized labor to shut down the national grid as economic sabotage.

Akpabio made these remarks on Tuesday in the Senate following a motion by Diket Plang, the senator representing Plateau Central, regarding the indefinite strike by labor unions.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) began an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, protesting the government’s failure to establish a new minimum wage for workers.

The government had proposed minimum wages of N48,000, N54,000, and N60,000, but labor unions demanded N615,500 and later N494,000.

The strike severely disrupted government and economic activities nationwide, leading to the national grid’s shutdown.

However, on Tuesday, labor unions temporarily suspended the strike to facilitate further negotiations with the federal government.

Akpabio criticized the strike’s impact on the ongoing West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC), calling it harmful.

“Shutting down the national grid is economic sabotage, not just a push for a new minimum wage,” Akpabio stated.

He also mentioned the disruption of hajj flights and WAEC exams, emphasizing the latter’s significance as it is organized by West African countries, not just Nigeria.

Akpabio praised labor unions for pausing the strike to allow negotiations to proceed.

“We will continue to contribute and await the new minimum wage bill to benefit all Nigerians,” he assured.

The motion was adopted after a voice vote, urging the federal government to speed up negotiations to resolve the strike.