The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, has appealed to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider their planned nationwide strike. Hon Abbas made this appeal during his welfare speech at the resumption of plenary.

In light of the economic challenges facing the country, the organized labour, represented by the NLC, has expressed frustration with the government’s efforts to establish a sustainable minimum wage and provide palliatives for citizens. As a result, they have issued a 21-day ultimatum and are planning to embark on a nationwide strike at midnight.

However, as the people’s representatives, Hon Abbas has urged the NLC to take into account the actions being taken by the Federal Government to alleviate the current hardships faced by Nigerians. He emphasized that the House of Representatives remains committed to securing a survival wage for all Nigerian workers. The 10th House had promised to mediate between the organized labour and the government to quickly establish a realistic new national minimum wage and implement other measures to ease the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal, the depreciation of the naira against the dollar, and the rising cost of living.

Hon Abbas believes that embarking on a nationwide strike at this point would only worsen the already dire situation. Therefore, he implored the leadership of the labour unions to give the government’s efforts a chance and suspend any planned strike action while engaging in constructive dialogue.

Addressing Challenges and Prioritizing the People’s Welfare

During his speech, the Speaker acknowledged the numerous challenges and opportunities Nigeria faces. He emphasized the collective responsibility of addressing these issues with wisdom, integrity, and a dedication to improving society. Hon Abbas highlighted the importance of prioritizing the needs of constituents and remaining committed to good governance, social justice, and economic growth.

Furthermore, Hon Abbas informed members of the House of Representatives about his efforts to address the capacity gaps within the House. To this end, he has engaged with Development Partners and Donor Agencies who provide interventions for capacity building. As a result, a Programmes Coordinating Unit (PCU) has been established in the Speaker’s Office to centralize and coordinate these interventions. This unit will ensure that all interventions meet the necessary standards, protect the House’s image, and promote national security.

Confronting National Challenges

Regarding national security, the Speaker expressed concern about recent incidents that highlight the precarious state of security in the country. He mentioned the gruesome murder of security personnel, the abduction of female students, and reports of travelers being kidnapped. Hon Abbas stressed the need to address these security challenges effectively.

Economically, Hon Abbas acknowledged the daunting challenges that Nigeria continues to face, including the high cost of living, lack of livable wages, fluctuating foreign exchange rates, and a disappearing middle class. He stressed the necessity of visionary leadership in proffering short and long term solutions to address these issues and improve the lives of Nigerians.

Legislative Agenda and National Prosperity

The Speaker emphasized the House’s role in supporting the executive in restoring prosperity to Nigeria. He called for the deployment of necessary legislative instruments to create jobs, ensure fair wages, uplift Nigerians out of poverty, address infrastructure deficits, combat insurgency, and secure affordable education for all. Hon Abbas urged members to approach this new session with renewed purpose and dedication in fulfilling their responsibilities.

Opportunities and Legislative Priorities

Despite the challenges, Hon Abbas acknowledged recent diplomatic and economic breakthroughs, such as President Ahmed Tinubu’s success in resuming visa issuance to Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates and the return of Emirates Airlines to Nigerian skies. He also cited major economic agreements in India and the House’s productive participation in the recently concluded 78th General Assembly of the United Nations.

In the coming days, the executive arm of government will present the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill and the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the House. Recognizing the urgency, Hon Abbas emphasized the need to diligently consider these bills to ensure they meet the needs of the people and facilitate their prompt implementation.

Hon Abbas concluded his speech by swearing in a new member of the House, Mr. Salisu Majigiri, representing the People’s Democratic Party from Katsina state.

As reports, Nigerians look to their leaders to address the nation’s challenges and steer the country towards a prosperous future.