Ngige intervenes, says May Day celebration holds at Eagle Square

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Ngige intervenes, says May Day celebration holds at Eagle Square

The Federal Government has re-validated the use of Eagle Square in Abuja by the Nigeria Labour Congress for the May Day celebration.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, announced this on Saturday.

The minister made this known following media reports that the Federal Government, through the Federal Capital Development Authority, withdrew the permit granted to the NLC to use Eagle Square.

The agency was reported to have explained last Thursday that the facility was being prepared for the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

The leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress while kicking against the withdrawal of the permit by the FCDA vowed to move the celebration to the streets of Abuja.

The General Secretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in a statement on Saturday titled, ‘National May Day celebration in Abuja: Change of Venue,” added, “The sudden decision to withdraw the permit may be laden with mischief and actually a sign of what is to come in the near future.

”As a result of this unfortunate development, we want to inform you that we have decided to shift the venue for the celebration to the Streets of Abuja.

Similarly, the TUC President, Festus Osifoh, while addressing journalists on Friday night, said, “May 1, is four weeks away from the handing over date, but our government is telling us that political considerations are much more important than the issues of workers.”

But Ngige, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, contacted the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who attributed the development to some overzealous officials of the FCDA, acting without his authority.

The labour minister said 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 were expected to attend.

According to the statement, Ngige had also been in touch with the leadership of organised labour led by Joe Ajaero.

“Consequently, the FCT minister assured the honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for (the) NLC to use on May 1, which is the workers’ 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,” it added.