While acknowledging the need for subsidy removal, Alakija shared a personal experience of purchasing fuel at an exorbitant price of N540 per liter, amounting to N10,800 for 20 litres. He contrasted this with the minimum wage in Nigeria, which stands at N30,000 monthly, equating to less than $50 at the current exchange rate.
Alakija mentioned the recent deadlock in the meeting between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the federal government, expressing discomfort with the approach taken in the negotiations. While acknowledging the significance of the Nigeria project, Alakija urged that no worker should be sacrificed in the process, highlighting the need to strike a balance between national development and workers’ welfare.
Abubakar also appealed to the federal government through the Ministries of Transportation and Works to expedite action on the dilapidated Quay Apron at Tin Can Island Port and that of Onne Port Access Road which is continuously resulting into litigation and loss of revenue.