By Abbati Bako,psc,bsis Kent-alumni UK’s European University—–
The Nigerian leaders must have (now) understands that the economic interplay in Nigeria has dwarfed into tunes of Billions of Naira if not into tunes of Millions of Dollars in Nigerian daily economic interplay and transactions.
Who knows how much the Federal Government, States and private organizations lost on none of doing financial transactions as a result of NLC’s strikes in the country? This writing doubts very much if there is anyone that can assess the loss.
The demand of the NLC for minimum wage in Nigeria is on the right track for the fact that the high inflation rate in the country is unimaginable. Since the independence of Nigeria in 1960 this is the first time that the inflation has reached as high as 34.7% in the country. Not only inflation; stagflation has been institutionalized and it seems that no solution is on the way.
*The solutions to the issue between NLC and Federal Government—–
1. Negotiation and mediation is the only way out on the matter
2. Not only FG or NLC other economic stakeholders in the country must be involved
3. Both sides must remember that not only in Nigeria but the world is watching
4. Miss communication must be avoided
5. Mediators, especially NGOs need to be involved on the issue
6. Communication gap is dangerous in negotiation and mediation to avoid getting deadlock
7. FG must understand that NLC is strong and have influence as an engine room for running the country as they are called in Europe “practitioners” meaning without them nothing will work
8. FG must understand that not only workers but about 135m citizens are in deep poverty, melting economy/precarity and security of want
9. NLC must know and understand that Nigeria’s economic deficiencies is a reality, hence they must soft-pedal on their demands.
Experts in negotiation and mediation asserts that “some time in a negotiable approach the solution is within the air” all you need to do is grab it. So, good intentions and a positive approach can be the key to the issue between NLC and the Federal Government.
*The take of this writing-
1. NLC must come down from their demands from N400,0000 plus to 1/2 for the fact that Nigeria is now a debtor nation and cannot pay the sum of about N9 trillions’ demands for workers
Salaries annually considering the other high demands on water, education, healthcare, security challenges, settlement of debts, infrastructural development etc
2. NLC/TUC must understand that some States’ Government and private organizations cannot afford to a minimum wage of such huge amount they did mentioned
3. Also most of the 774 Local Government Areas cannot afford to pay such high salaries for their workers
4. The salaries of about N400,000 or more may likely trigger unbearable inflation in the country
5. NLC/TUC should know that stagflation and security challenges is biting very hard in the country, hence they should come down to an affordable amounts
*Federal Government——-
1. Should take notes that N60,000.00 as a minimum wage in Nigeria cannot take care of a messenger with even one child talk-less of the type of African welfarism system that contains huge families in our societies
2. A bag of rice in a market cost about N85,000.00 talk-less of other day to day demands for family; healthcare, clothes, education, rent, transportation system and so on
3. This writing understands that the sum of N150,000.00 to the sum of N200,000.00 should be the basic salary and minimum wage in Nigeria. That will bring happiness and solutions to both sides and other stakeholders may agree and afford the amount for peace and economic stability.
Conclusively, the NLC, Federal Government, States and private organizations must try to ensure that inflation must be strictly under control; otherwise more insecurity may set in. Security and security of want is very important in any country. Human person is a symbol of economy and economic security is paramount in human life.
Dr. Abbati Bako, political strategist analyst and consultant in International Politics
Peoplesmind
