The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), 

George Akume, has knocked the organised labour for shutting down the national grid during its recently suspended nationwide strike action, calling it a treasonable offence. 

“It is treason! Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that.

“We are trying to rebuild the economy. The nation is picking up, and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way,” he said.

Mr Akume said this in Abuja on Thursday while addressing the national executive council of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

He said that there was nowhere in the world where labour ever interrupted the national grid, and advised labour against actions that could jeopardise government efforts.

Mr Akume said that the federal government was not only committed to paying a new minimum wage, stressing that it was also focusing on productivity and economic stability.

“Our people must rise up and have something in their pockets. It is not about demanding N100,000 without productivity.

“We are looking at controlling inflation and ensuring a balanced economy,” he asserted.

Mr Akume urged religious institutions to provide essential services.

“The Church must collaborate with the government in providing facilities for people whether it is on education, health or agriculture.

“We don’t separate; we combine. There is a symbiotic relationship that can never be destroyed,” he said.

Organised labour, on Monday, embarked on a nationwide strike over the government’s refusal to agree to a new minimum wage that will reflect the current economic realities on Nigerians. The unions disrupted economic activities, including shutting down the national grid.  

(NAN)