The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has clamoured for an immediate reversal of the hike of petrol pump price which rose from N158 to N170, with threats to embark on a countywide strike if necessary.
It also called for a state of emergency in the petroleum downstream subsector.
The NLC in a statement said that there is no doubt that there is great disquiet in the land, over the extraordinary level of inflation in the country, noting that the recent increase in the fuel price to have only exacerbated the current level of pain and anguish in the country.
The statement signed by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said that the increase is clearly against the spirit and content of what Organised Labour agreed with the government at the last negotiations over the last fuel price increase.
The statement said that the increase has also cast in very bad light organised labour’s utmost good faith with regards to government explanations, that it lacks funds to continue bankrolling the so-called subsidy payments, as such would sooner than later cripple the entire economy, throw the country into severe economic crisis and cause loss of jobs in millions.
Labour stressed that it will not accept a fait accompli of a monopoly of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, or the emergence of a cartel of Oligarchs, whose end game is mass pauperisation.
Labour said that “Nigerians cannot be made to bleed endlessly, for the failures of successive government, to properly manage our refineries, ensure value for money for the numerous Turn Around Maintenance, which were poorly executed…”
Labour added that in line with its recent agreement with the government, it will be receiving updates in the next few days from affiliate unions in the petroleum sector and representatives in the electricity review committee. The outcome of these engagements will determine its next line of action in the coming days.
