WORKERS DAY: FG Revalidates Eagle Square For May Day Parade

…Says place is available for NLC to use on May 1

The Federal Government has revalidated Eagle Square, Abuja  for the annual May Day Parade and ceremony as organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) respectively in commemoration of the Workers day.

Recall that the Federal Government had disapproved the organised labour groups from 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.

But in a statement over the weekend, made available by  Olajide Oshundun , Director, Press and Public Relations , Ministry of Labour and Employment and sighted by DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA on Sunday,  blamed the development on some overzealous officials, acting without the authority of the minister,

Oshundun further attributed the situation to minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.

He noted that “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 minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.

According to him, “It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square, Merrs Julius Berger 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 statement quoted the FCT Minister assuring  the Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the workers day.

The statement pointed out that “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.

Continuing, he stressed that the President, Ministers and others cannot shut themselves out adding that the Eagle Square is still available for all the aforementioned groups.

He called on all invited people to make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the diplomatic missions and the international partners.

According to him,the  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 .

Equally, he said , apologies have been extended to the 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 incharge of the renovation of the Eagle  Square for the May29 inauguration to also include the May1, 2023.

“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 May1.”,the statement signed by Oshundun explained.