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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) minced no words on Tuesday, as it vehemently denounced the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the recent fuel price escalation, and demanded a swift reversal of the policy that has only served to further immiserate the Nigerian populace.
Just as Nigerians were grappling with the persistent fuel shortage, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced a significant hike in petrol prices, from ₦568 to ₦855 per liter in some areas, and ₦897 in others. This move is likely to further strain the finances of many Nigerians.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, has voiced his strong opposition to the fuel price hike, accusing the Federal Government of failing to uphold its commitments to the labour movement. In a statement, Ajaero criticized the government’s decision, saying it will have severe economic implications for Nigerians and erode trust in the government.
Ajaero said, “We demand the immediate reversal of the latest increase in the pump of PMS across the country, release of all those incarcerated or being prosecuted on the assumption of having participated in the recent protests.
“Halt the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped up charges, reversal of the 250% tariff hike in electricity, stop to the hijack of the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“End to policies that engender hunger and insecurity, Halt to government’s culture of terror, fear and lying. We are guided by our belief in our country and the need to secure and sustain its sovereignty, integrity and welfare of the people.”
NLC President Joe Ajaero has pointed out that the current administration is yet to fulfill its promise to implement the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000. This, he argues, is a clear indication of the government’s lack of commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers.
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According to Joe Ajaero, the current administration’s policies have had a devastating impact on Nigerians, leaving a trail of trauma in their wake. Ajaero’s statement accuses the government of being insincere, further exacerbating the sense of disillusionment among the populace.
He recalled how President Bola Tinubu gave labour leaders the option of choosing from N250,000 as the new minimum wage in exchange of petrol price at N1,500, and said they rejected the offer due to the impact it would have on Nigerians.
“But here we are, barely one month after and with the government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain. It is both traumatic and nightmarish.
It was said that the government had been warned about the inherent flaws in its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy paradox, but its supporters allegedly responded by questioning the critics’ understanding of basic economics.
