Labour kicks as FG hike petrol price to near N1000/litre
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced its deep disappointment and feelings of betrayal regarding the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
In a statement issued by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC pointed out that the hike contradicts the agreement made when the national minimum wage was established at N70,000.
The union recalled President Bola Tinubu’s difficult choices presented during negotiations, where he offered a minimum wage of N250,000 alongside a potential fuel price rise to N1,500 or N2,000 per litre, or to maintain the N70,000 wage with the previous fuel prices.
The NLC chose the latter option to prevent further hardship for Nigerians.
“Yet here we are, just a month later, with the government yet to begin disbursing the new national minimum wage, facing an incomprehensible reality. This situation is both distressing and alarming,” they stated.
In response to these developments, the NLC has demanded an immediate rollback of the recent PMS price increase, the release of all individuals detained or prosecuted due to recent protests, and an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions based on unfounded accusations.
The Congress also called for the reversal of the 250% hike in electricity tariffs, the restoration of the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s role in resolving trade disputes, and the implementation of policies aimed at alleviating hunger and insecurity.
Furthermore, they urged an end to the government’s culture of fear, repression, and dishonesty.
The NLC announced plans to gather its relevant bodies in the coming days to discuss further actions and will share its decisions with the public.
“when we told government that it’s approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, it’s front row cheer leaders sneered at us, saying we did not understand basic economics .
“But if truth be told, this act of betrayal is consistent with the character of this government. We recall the assurances we were given by the leadership of the National Assembly on the 250% tariff hike, that it had been dealt with and there was no need to openly engage the Minister of Power who was at that meeting.
“Instead of the promised reversal, the rate has since been jerked up further putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.
“The combined effects of government’s ferocious right -wing market policies brought Nigerians and Nigeria to their all-time low and led to the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.
“Rather than make amends, government arrested and hounded into detention some of those who took part and some of those who had nothing to do with these protests, charging them with criminal conspiracy, subversion, treasonable felony, terrorism financing and cyber crime with an intent to overthrow the government of President Tinubu.
“The police and other security agencies have since been on rampage terrorising the citizenry in pursuance of government’s agenda of muzzling lawful dissent.
“In brazen pursuit, they have defamed and libelled not a few individuals.
“They have gone as far as appropriating the statutory roles of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in resolving trade dispute matters and issues considered outside the jurisdiction of the security agencies.
“That the government is on rampage in the face of stifling conditions of living is an understatement but we promise Nigerians that we at the Nigeria Labour Congress will not be cowed into submission. Together with civil society, we brought about this democracy when some of the actors in power today were conspiring with the military on how to perpetuate their hold on political power.
“When the State and the security forces picked on us in a hybrid war, we had our suspicions. We knew they were up to something sinister and needed to distract/divert our attention or possibly frighten or weaken us before they came out with it so that we would not have a robust response.
“Now that they chickens have come to roost, we were right in our suspicions. However, we want to let Nigerians know that the clandestine/surreptitious increase in the pump price of pms is the first among the equally sinister policies government has up its sleeve.
“On our part, we stand resolute with the people and will neither be distracted nor intimidated by the government or its security agencies,” NLC declared.
