Tinubu to end Nigeria’s oil importation, says Port Harcourt refinery will start operations in December

• Presidents of Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress thank Nigerians for backing nationwide protest
• President Tinubu commits to restructuring engagement framework based on labor leaders’ input
  

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken significant steps towards ending Nigeria’s petroleum products importation by announcing the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery in December 2023

On Wednesday night, August 2, 2023, President Tinubu assured the leaders of the organized labor of his commitment to this crucial endeavor.

The organized labor expressed their support for the President’s plans in a statement released on Wednesday night.

The labor centers acknowledged that President Tinubu had made a series of promises, leading to their decision to return to the negotiation table.

The presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, also extended their appreciation to Nigerians for backing the nationwide protest.

“It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the extent of the success of the protest is underlined by the request of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria; Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu to meet with the leadership of the NLC and TUC in a closed-door session.

“The engagement was fruitful that immense mileage was obtained with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest viz; He committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders.

“He let out a certainty that the Port Harcourt Refinery will commence production by December this year. He pledged to ensure that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately.

“He promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week. On the strength of the president’s pledge and commitment, we have decided to return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation.

“Once again, we thank Nigerians while we wait for the Government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency; the President.”