Subsidy: Atiku urges FG, labour to speed up resolution

[DT]

The Federal Government and organized labour/civil society leaders have been advised to find a mutually agreeable settlement to the current anti-subsidy withdrawal protests across the country.  

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who offered this advice in Abuja, urged the stakeholders to reach an agreement "in the larger interest of millions who have been suffering additional burden of hardship since the strike began a week ago."  

Atiku, who was reacting to the lingering crisis in a statement by his media office, said the two sides have a responsibility to show flexibility rather than adopting a maximalist posture on their demands.

He said that both the government and labour leaders should be united by the common interest of ordinary Nigerians who are bearing the crunch of the seeming stalemate.

The former vice president said unless the two sides are realistic, the nation stands the risk of reaching a cul-de-sac in the negotiations, thereby compounding the hardship of millions who are earnestly awaiting a speedy end to this crisis.

Atiku particularly urged the two sides to listen to the reason rather than bending to the dictates of their egos, which might lead to avoidable complications in finding a workable solution to the subsidy crisis.

He noted that sacrifices were needed by both sides to ensure that the final resolution serves the best interest of the economy and the people.

He however condemned the killings by the security agents and the violence and arson on public and private property by a section of the protesters.

DailyTrust