The federal government and organised labour have resolved to allow one week for consultation, over the demand for the reversal of the pump price of petrol.
The government side is to use the one week to consult with its principals including President Muhammadu Buhari, on a possible review of the fuel price increase.
The price of petrol was increased from N161 per litre to N168 per litre, the second time in less than three months.
The labour leaders, who felt ambushed by the federal government’s action, staged a walkout at the resumed negotiations last Sunday, insisting on reversal of the fuel price increase before talks could continue.
At the rescheduled meeting with representatives of labour on Thursday night, both sides agreed to give one week grace period to enable the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) go and reconsider issues that led to the increase.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, briefed the media after a meeting between the government side and the organised labour, held Thursday night at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
In a statement issued by his Media Office, Ngige said that the message of the labour side at the meeting was very clear that they want the reversal of the recent fuel price increase.
“By Monday, December 7, we will come back, because the message from the organised labour is clear. They want a reversal of the pump price to what it was. So, the government side will take it back to our principals.
“Even though, government is not fixing the price of PMS anymore because it is deregulated, it is part of the economy. So, the government side will consult anybody that needs to be consulted.
“We will consult the president as the Minister of Petroleum and then, the Economic Management team because funds are involved,” he said.
On the issue of electricity tariff, Ngige said: “Everybody is happy with the situation in the electricity industry for now, because there is a committee working on it, headed by Minister of State for Labour and Employment.”