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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