President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime has approved the use of Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade for workers in the FCT.
Olajide Oshundun, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Mr Oshundun said the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had intervened in the issue.
According to him, the initial disapproval was due to the preparation for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect Bola 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.
“This is, as well as a minor communication gap between the FCDA, the federal government Transition Committee and the NLC,’’ he said.
He said it was the contractor handling the renovation of Eagle Square, Merrs Julius Berger, that informed the Transition Committee of the handover ceremony.
Mr Oshundun added 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 minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, 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.
“The president, ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. The Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals,’’ he said.
He said Mr Ngige has been in touch with the leadership of organised labour, led by Joe Ajaero and had briefed them on the developments.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had said that the federal government refused their request to use the venue for the Workers’ Day celebration.
Mr Oshundun also said that Mr Ngige had equally extended the apologies of 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.
(NAN)
