Fuel Price: Implement remote work policy for workers – Ohanaeze to Southeast govs

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Friday urged Southeast governors to implement a work-at-home policy following the current fuel price hike in Nigeria.

Ohanaeze said the heightening cost of petrol has compounded the challenges facing Nigerians, creating an unbearable strain on the livelihoods of civil servants and workers in the Southeast.

The body said the governors should activate the policy for a period of three months, starting from September 9.

A communiqué issued by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said “In recognition of the distressing realities confronting our region, Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly recommends the immediate activation of a work-from-home policy for a duration of three months, commencing on Monday, September 9th, 2024.

“This proactive measure is designed to mitigate the severe hardships that have arisen due to skyrocketing fuel prices, which have exceeded ₦1400 per litre, coupled with uncontrollable inflation of essential goods and exorbitant transportation fares.

“We have observed with great concern how these economic pressures have intensified the struggles of our civil servants and workers, leading to irregularities in the payment of salaries and pensions. The heartbreaking reality is that it has become exceedingly challenging for our dedicated workforce to commute to their places of duty when faced with such overwhelming financial burdens. It is not only impractical but grossly unjust to demand that our people adhere to their regular work schedules under these compelling economic conditions.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls upon our esteemed state governors to conduct a thorough assessment of the current economic landscape and in doing so, to adopt emergency measures that would alleviate the suffering of the Southeast civil servants and workers. We advocate for a prompt and conscientious implementation of the Work-From-Home policy, reflecting the commendable initiative already demonstrated by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. By safeguarding our workers from the exorbitant transportation costs associated with daily commutes, we can preserve not only their financial stability but also the fragile peace within our community.”