The Federal Government has reviewed their stand on the use of the popular Eagles Square in Abuja by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for its annual May Day parade in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, urged all guests, including the President, Vice President, Ministers, diplomatic missions and international partners, to endeavour to be at the Eagle Square, which remains sacrosanct.
The government had earlier denied the Organised Labour use of the Eagle Square for its May Day celebration three days to the event, making the NLC to announce to the workers that the celebration would hold on the streets of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
But Ngige in his assurance for the availability of the Eagle Square for use by labour said his action followed media reports that the Federal Government, acting through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has withdrawn the permit granted to the NLC to use the Eagle Square for this year’s May Day celebration, for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister said on getting the information, he contacted his colleague, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, who attributed the development to some overzealous officials acting without his authority.
Ngige said sequel to his consultation with the FCT Minister, the NLC has been asked to go ahead with its preparation for the May Day celebration at Eagle Square, which the President, Ministers, other top government officials and the diplomatic missions are expected to attend.
The statement added that the FCT administration has promised to give all necessary material support to make the event hitch-free and successful.
