The Federal Government has reversed its decision to revoke the permission granted to organized labour to use Eagle Square for the 2023 May Day celebration.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, announced that the venue is sacrosanct and urged all guests, including the President, Vice President, Ministers, diplomatic missions and international partners, to be present.
Earlier reports had suggested that the permit was withdrawn due to preparations for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but Ngige clarified that it was due to overzealous officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) acting without the authority of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello. Ngige assured the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that they can proceed with their preparations for the May Day celebration at Eagle Square.
Ngige’s statement reads: “The attention of the Honourable Minister has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC 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.
“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 a minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.
” It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square 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 FCT Minister assured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the worker’s 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. The President, Ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals.
“All invited people should make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the diplomatic missions and the international partners.
“The Honourable 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 and equally extended the apologies of the Honourable 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 in charge of the renovation of the Eagle Square for the May 29 inauguration to also include the May 1, 2023.”
