NLC Calls For Immediate Reversal Of Petrol Price Increase
According to the NLC President, the current administration is yet to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday called for an immediate reversal of the hike in fuel price announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), saying the hike has worsened the misery of Nigerians.
The NNPCL, amid the lingering fuel scarcity in the country, increased the pump price of petrol from ₦568 to ₦855, ₦897 (depending on the location per litre).
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, while condemning the move in a statement, accused the Federal Government of betraying labour movement.
The NLC leader said, “We demand the immediate reversal of the latest increase in the pump of PMS across the country, the 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.”
According to the NLC President, the current administration is yet to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000.
While accusing the government of insincerity, Ajaero described the policies of the current administration as traumatic.
He recalled how President Bola Tinubu gave labour leaders the option of choosing from N250,000 as the new minimum wage in exchange for 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.
“Yet, when we told the government that its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, its front-row cheerleaders 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,” he said.
Ajaero regretted that instead of the promised reversal, “the rate has since been jerked up further putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.”
