Following the NLC nationwide strike and protest over economic hardship, the Leader of NLC, Joe Ajaero, after calling off the nationwide strike on Tuesday, presented a 17-point proposal to President Bola Tinubu.
NLC in the proposal urged FG to alleviate the widespread suffering, hunger, and poverty that the federal government’s actions had caused the country.
Here are the 17-point demands:
โWe suggest a reopening of land borders to allow food, cement, and other essentials to come in.
โEmergency measures to ensure food security around the country, including ensuring that farmlands are secured so that farmers can return to the land.
โWe propose an immediate removal of the collection of levies, fees, dues, and tolls from petty traders across the nation by local and state governments.
โImmediate implementation of the October 2, 2023, agreement reached with your government.
โAn immediate purchase and deployment of CNG/ electric buses across all states of the federation to be managed by stakeholders.
โAn immediate deployment of large numbers of CNG conversion kits to all states of the federation to grant the citizenry easier access to the conversion of their vehicles from PMS to CNG.
โComposition of a team of relevant stakeholders to monitor and supervise all Federal Governmentโs intervention funds in the interest of the Nigerian people. The same arrangement is advocated at all levels to ensure that government interventions reach the poor and the vulnerable.
โReversal and suspension of further increases in school fees across the nation;
โA drastic reduction and removal of import duties paid on essential drugs and medical consumables to relieve the current hardship being witnessed by the sick.
โDirect all state governments to immediately pay all owed wages, wage awards, allowances, gratuities, and pensions.
โCash Transfers to the vulnerable with a verifiable and inclusive social register to begin immediately.
โAn immediate tax holiday to all workers earning from N100,000 per month and below including a reduction in PAYE for all workers earning below N500,000/Month.
โA removal of VAT on basic consumer items.
โDirect the purchase and use of Made in Nigeria goods and services to stimulate local production and save jobs.
โImmediate reduction in the cost of governance in Nigeria at all levels to reflect the nationโs tight fiscal position.
โHalt immediately the implementation of all IMF and World Bank policies in Nigeria. They have not only worked anywhere but have brought extreme hardship which imperils our nationโs security and undermines our sovereignty.
โSpeedy conclusion of the National Minimum Wage negotiation, ensuring that it approximates a living wage.
