NLC rejects “abysmal increase” in fuel price, says it is more than Nigerians can tolerate

 NLC rejects “abysmal increase” in fuel price, says it is more than Nigerians can tolerate

By Modupe Shodeinde

The Nigerian Labour Congress has warned against the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly referred to as petrol and demanded for reversal.

According to the congress, “There is a limit to what the citizens can tolerate if these abysmal increases in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services continue.”

He said due to the current inflation, the recent increase in the pump price of the fuel would worsen the level of pain and anguish in the country.

In a statement by the President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, he stated that the hike in fuel price negated the agreement of Organised Labour with government at the last negotiation over increased fuel price.

“It has also cast our utmost good faith in very bad light 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.” Wabba stated.

NLC expressed regret that the government could not ensure full value for the numerous Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) which were poorly executed.

The congress also lamented the horrifying lack of interest in prosecuting public officials and private business people who have profited from the rot in the petroleum sector.

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Speaking on solutions to fuel crisis, the NLC advised the government to declare a state of emergency in the downstream petroleum sector, enter into contract refining with refineries closer to the country and also ensure that the cost of supplying of crude oil is negotiated away from prevailing international market rate.

Wabba also added that show the will to stop the smuggling of petroleun products out of Nigeria.

The NLC further demanded that Nigerians should be carried along on the distribution of refined petroleum products and the information made public.

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