The Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (CANMPSSAN) has raised concerns about the policies of the Bola Tinubu-led administration, claiming that they are negatively impacting the chemical and non-metallic sectors in the country. The association expressed its frustration during the opening session of the 29th Annual National Management/Industrial Relations Seminar held on Tuesday in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.
Mr. Segun David, the National President of CANMPSSAN, voiced his association’s grievances, stressing the growing distress caused by government policies that have led to uncertainty in the industry. “We can no longer sleep with two eyes closed due to the distress caused by the unfriendly policies of the government,” he said, underscoring the detrimental effect these policies have had on workers and productivity in the chemical sector.
David elaborated on the theme of the seminar, which focused on the impact of government policies on workers and industry growth. “We are here for three days to discuss the urgent need to interrogate ourselves on how the policies of this present government are adversely affecting the welfare of workers and productivity growth in our sector,” he stated. He emphasized the need for vigilance among stakeholders in the industry, urging everyone to stay alert and work together to ensure the sustainability of business operations within the sector.
The National President also addressed the issue of the national minimum wage, which has been a contentious topic in recent years. David noted that the Salaries and Wages Commission had released the consequential adjustments for the new minimum wage, urging all affiliated managements to implement it promptly for their senior staff. “Those already paying higher should sustain the tempo,” he added, stressing the importance of ensuring fair compensation in line with the new wage structure.
Turning to broader economic issues, David expressed deep concern over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, which he described as “unbearable.” He lamented that despite the association’s repeated outcries, the government had remained indifferent to the struggles of workers and industries. “The government of the day seems unperturbed and is instead reeling out promises that are never fulfilled,” he said, pointing out the disconnect between government reforms and their actual impact on the ground.
David also criticized the government’s handling of the oil sector, particularly the promise made during the minimum wage negotiations. “During the minimum wage negotiations, the Federal Government promised not to increase the pump price of petrol but reneged and increased the price before the minimum wage implementation,” he stated. He further pointed to the government’s failure to deliver on its promise of tax relief for food-based imports and companies, which was supposed to mitigate rising food prices. Instead, he claimed, the prices of food in the market skyrocketed.
The seminar also featured remarks from Amos Falonipe, the Registrar of Trade Unions, who commended the leadership of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Association for their foresight in organizing the event amid current national challenges. He praised the theme of this year’s seminar, titled “In-Depth Analysis of Interwoven Parameters of Workers, Productivity, Growth, and Government Policy in the Chemical Sector,” calling it both timely and relevant to the ongoing national discourse.
Falonipe stressed that achieving higher productivity in the country requires both human resources and government policies to be aligned with the goals of national growth. “To achieve greater productivity in our nation requires setting specific goals and initiatives by policymakers and stakeholders, which I believe will be addressed during this seminar,” he said. He urged all participants to take full advantage of the seminar’s platform to brainstorm and propose actionable solutions to improve both productivity and the welfare of workers in the chemical sector.
In conclusion, the Registrar of Trade Unions emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the chemical and non-metallic products sector. He urged the participants to work together to draft a communiqué that would help improve industry productivity and the conditions of service and welfare for workers in the sector. The seminar, which is scheduled to run for three days, is seen as a critical platform for addressing these pressing issues in the Nigerian economy.
