FG averts clash with labour, revalidates Eagle Square for May Day rally

The Federal Government has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress to ignore a revocation of an earlier permission granted the organised labour to use the Eagle Square as venue for tomorrow’s workers’ day rally.

It says the use of the Eagle Square by the labour unions is sacrosanct.

The revalidation of the use of Eagle Square Abuja by the NLC for the annual May Day parade in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, May 1 was announced by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, in a statement signed by Olajide Oshundun,
Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The minister urged all invited guests including the President, Vice President, ministers, diplomatic missions and international partners, to endeavour to be at the venue, which remains sacrosanct.

The development came on the heels of media reports that the Federal Government, acting through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), had withdrawn the permission granted to the NLC to use the Eagle Square for this year’s May Day celebration, for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said on getting the information, he contacted his colleague, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, who attributed the development to some overzealous officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) , acting without his authority.

Ngige said sequel to his consultation with the FCT Minister, the NLC has been asked to go ahead with its preparation for the May Day celebration at Eagle Square, which the President, Ministers, other top government officials and the diplomatic missions are expected to attend.

The statement read: “The attention of the Honourable Minister has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC using the Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“On receiving the report, the Minister contacted his colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who blamed the development on some overzealous officials, acting without his authority, as well as a minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.

” It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square that informed the Transition Committee for the handover ceremony that they erected their equipment even before last Thursday when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event attended by the President.

“Consequently, the FCT Minister assured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the worker’s day.

“This May Day is the last in the life of this administration. The NLC parade belongs to everybody, including government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliate unions and members of the public. The President, Ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals.

“All invited people should make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the diplomatic missions and the international partners.

“The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment has been in touch with the leadership of organised Labour led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and has briefed them on these developments and equally extended the apologies of the Honourable Minister of FCT for the unintended embarrassment occasioned by the action of their officials who misinterpreted the general intention and work plan of one month of Messrs Julius Berger the company in charge of the renovation of the Eagle Square for the May 29 inauguration to also include the May 1, 2023.”

The statement added that the FCT Administration has promised to give all necessary material support to make the event hitch-free and successful, while the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment wishes all Nigerian Workers a blissful Workers Day on May 1.
Meanwhile, the NLC in an earlier statement by its Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said the celebration would be held on the streets of Abuja to deepen its reconnection with the people.

“As you must have been aware of the last-minute questionable action of the government at the centre to deny us the use of the Eagle Square for this year’s May-Day celebrations three days to the event, despite having granted us the permit months ago,” the NLC said.

FG averts clash with labour, revalidates Eagle Square for May Day rally