NLC Strike: FG To Supply 133 CNG/LPG-Driven Mass Transit Buses To Nigerians

The Federal Government and Organised Labour (NLC, TUC and others) held consultation meetings on September 15, 24 and 27, 2020.

Following the extensive deliberations, the following resolutions have been reached:

A Technical Committee on Electricity Tariff policy has been established. It is chaired by the HMS Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo and comprises of the Federal Government MDAs, NLC and TUC, and will work over the next two weeks, starting today.

Its mandate shall include:

a. Examine justification for the electricity tariff review

b. Review the deployment of meters and advice FG on issues hindering implementation

During this two-week period, DISCOs will suspend implementation of the electricity tariff adjustments.

• See Also: Lagos Danfo Buses Now Use Gas Instead of Petrol – Photos

The PMS subsidy regime has stifled downstream sector growth. In addition, the dire financial circumstances of the Federation preclude the ability to sustain any subsidy on PMS, and thus makes the deregulation of the sector inevitable.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) will expedite the rehabilitation of its Refineries, with a 50% completion target for Port Harcourt by December 2021.

Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) will integrate national leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigerian (PENGASSAN) into the Steering Committee already established to oversee the Rehabilitation Exercise.

A Validation Team comprising of Representatives of NNPC, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), NUPENG and PENGASSAN will be established to monitor the progress of the Rehabilitation of Refineries, Pipelines and Depot Networks, and to advise the Steering Committee periodically.

The Federal Government (FG) will continue to facilitate licensing and delivery of new modular and regular refineries.

FG will ensure delivery of 1 million CNG/LPG Autogas Conversion Kits, Storage Skids and Dispensing Units under the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme, by December 2021.

A Governance Structure for this project will be established and will include Labour Representatives.

FG will work to facilitate removal of tax on minimum wage

FG will make available to Labour 133 CNG/LPG-driven Mass Transit Buses immediately, for use in major cities nationwide, and thereafter extend to all States and LGAs before December 2021

Ongoing FG Housing Initiatives will have 10 per cent allocated to Nigerian workers.

Moribund National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) will be revived before the end of 2020, to institutionalize dialogue and engagement on socio-economic and labour issues to forestall future crises.

What Is CNG and How does It Work?

CNG is an alternative to petrol and diesel because it is colourless, odourless, non-toxic, but inflammable and lighter than air. Compressed natural gas (CNG) (methane stored at high pressure) is a fuel that can be used in place of gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). CNG combustion produces fewer undesirable gases than the aforementioned fuels. In comparison to other fuels, natural gas poses less of a threat in the event of a spill, because it is lighter than air and disperses quickly when released. Biomethane — refined biogas from anaerobic digestion or landfills — can be used.

• Related Post: These Are The Duties And Functions Of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)