New electricity tariff: Govt open to negotiations – VP
Following the outrage that greeted the new electricity tariff by the government, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has enjoined Nigerians not to term it a 'wicked tariff', stressing that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is open to dialogue.
Speaking with the leadership of Trade Union Congress, TUC behind a closed door in his office at the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday, the Vice President stated that it was important to note that the present administration was made possible through the people's will.
In a statement by his media aide, Osinbajo submitted that if even the government and the people disagree, it was still necessary to sit on a round table.
Recalling that the Buhari led government provided bailout for workers' salaries, the Vice President reasoned that the government was not out to suffer the people.
This was even as he responded to the demands of the Congress on review of the new minimum wage, promising that all the issues would be looked into.
He said 'We are here for the people, if not for the people, we will not be here. We got here by the grace of God and the votes of the man on the street who felt it's time for change. Even if we disagree, we must still talk. The reason is that the government itself is the government of the people.
'Nobody is in government by inheritance. We are here today because the people chose us and that is the reason we must be prepared to listen to issues that concern Nigerians.
'We will take a look at all the issues carefully. 'We are here for the people and we want to identify with the people. We are open to your suggestions, but it is not enough to say it is a wicked tariff. We must answer the question how,' he said.
Osinbajo however enjoined all Nigerians to support government in the fight against corruption, adding that 'if you don't fight corruption, you cannot even deal with the economy, you need to hold corrupt people accountable because they stole the money meant for the economy'. Vanguard