Oyo
state govt throws weight behind oil sector deregulation, invokes "No work,
no pay rule
The
Oyo State government has thrown its weight behind the Federal Government’s
decision to deregulate fuel pump price, just as it warned public servants bent
on participating in the ongoing industrial action to be ready to pay the price
of ‘no work, no pay.’
The
government reminds its workforce that the National Industrial Court had ruled
against the strike before the Comrade Ayuba Wabba-led faction of the Nigeria
Labour Congress ordered its affiliate unions to embark on the action last week.
In
a statement released today by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr.
Olalekan Alli, the government said deregulation of the downstream oil sector
was the best option open to the Federal Government in the prevailing
circumstance. Besides, he cautioned
dissenters and non-conformists against testing the resolve of law enforcement
agencies, who, he said, had the constitutional mandate to crush any attempt to
breach the peace of the land.
The
SSG urged members of the public to go about their legitimate duties and
obligations without fear of intimidation and harassment, warning individual or
groups determined to hide under the guise of protest to foment trouble or
engage in vandalism to have a rethink. He, however, advocated the provision of
palliatives by the FG to cushion the spiralling adverse effects of the new fuel
pump price regime on the citizens.
Alli
said, “Deregulation appears the most realistic approach to solving the
unpalatable experiences of the public in getting fuel at affordable price
pending the time the necessary infrastructure for local refining of crude oil
will be upgraded and expanded. Similarly, we assert that it is the responsibility
of those who are against this government policy thrust, e.g. the organised
labour, civil society groups, etc, to canvass public opinion against such
policies without resort to threat and the intimidation of those who may chose
not to agree with them. Consequently, government warns protesters and
dissenters from taking the laws into their hands under any guise that may be
construed as constituting public nuisance and a breach of the peace. For the
avoidance of doubt, as ruled by the National Industrial Court, the current
strike is illegal and consequently the 'no work no pay' policy shall apply in
the state’s public service.”
The
SSG declared that change was an inevitable phenomenon towards the attainment of
progress in the country, just as he advised the government and the NLC to
consider each other as partners in service to and progress of the country.
He
advised labour leaders to embrace the FG’s clarion call for further dialogue
over the matter for genuine mutually beneficial interests to be further
pursued.
Alli
added, “However as this dialogue goes on, members of the public are enjoined to
keep the peace, as anything otherwise will attract sanctions by the law
enforcement agencies who are prepared to ensure there is no breach of the
peace.”
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