Date: 2010-07-20

Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State has for the umpteenth times stressed the needs and urgency for the implementation of the full deregulation policy in the downstream sector, just as he pleaded with the Nigerian Labour Congress to give the present administration the benefit of the doubt in its sincerity about the deregulation.

Saraki, who is also the chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum, stated this on monday while receiving the minister of Labour and Productivity Mr Chukwuemeka Wogu who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Ilorin, noted that, only full deregulation of the sector can wipped-off the high level corruption being perpetrated in the name of subsidy in the sector.

The governor lamented that, the federal government was spending over N4billion on the subsidy yearly, which was not impacting positively on both the sector and the Nigerian populace, as it was some individual that were benefiting from the so called subsidy.

While acknowledging the fear of the Labour leadership on the sincerity and transparency of government to use the said subsidy in providing basic needs of average Nigerian, Gov. Saraki urged the labour union that the government should be given benefit of the doubt, particularly with the new president who has demonstrated commitment and sincerity of purpose for the well being of the citizenry.

He further pointed out that, operators in the sector have also begin to clamour for full deregulation and the removal of the subsidy, stating that they have equally come to realize that the subsidy was nothing but corruption.

He therefore enjoined the labour leadership to give a second thought on the issue, in order to enable government forge ahead on the deregulation in the interest of all and sundry.

Earlier, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Chukwuemeka Wogu has commended the state government for maintaining industrial dispute free with the labour union and fostering a conducive environment for the entire workforce to operate.

According to the minister, "I have on good authority that Kwara State is a crisis free state interms of industrial relationship with the labour leaders and the entire workforce in the state".

Wogu, also noted the achievements of Bukola’s administration in the areas of Commercial Farm initiatives located in Shonga District, which he describe as a good model that if replicated in other parts of the country was capable of diversifying the country economy positively.

He also praised the efforts of the governor for the transformation he has brought to the state adding that, I must commend your efforts on the transformation you have brought on the State despite the meager resources coming to the State.


Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
20/07/2010