The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the federal government against the implementation of what it termed ‘extreme left wing market polices’, arising from the unofficial increase in price of petrol, which is causing lamentations among Nigerians in order to avert a reenactment of #EndSARS and #End hunger protests.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Mr Benson Upah, NLC Head of Department, Information argued that such unpopular policies, including fuel subsidy removal in 2023, the devaluation of the Naira, and then the recent 250 per cent hike in fuel price are in conflict with social contract President Bola Tinubu entered with Nigerians last year.
He lamented hike in the pump price of petrol by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) from N550 per litre above N897 per litre by the federal government as a lesson that will be remembered by depressed Nigerians.
Major marketers have adjusted their pump price to N1050 per litre, while private fuel stations sell fuel at N1200, while the product sells at N1200 per litre at black markets, prompting lamentations by Nigerians, according to reports.
Upah said, “The way he (Bola Tinubu) dealt with fuel subsidy removal in May 2023, caused a major storm that has never been experienced in this Country. It caused a major social economic dislocation, raising a spiral of over 500 per cent in the cost of living.
“He (Tinubu) followed that up with the massive devaluation of the Naira, and then the 250 per cent hike in fuel price. As Nigerians for goodness sake are just trying to come to terms with this extreme market policies, then, he shift the goal post again.
“This is another storm. And it’s not good for the health of the Country, and it’s not good for the health of citizens. Everybody is complaining. Then, you raise the question, what exactly are these policies for? Workers are groaning. The average Nigerian is grinding. Businesses are folding. So, who are these policies suppose to benefit?
“Our strike is a wake up call to point direction. But, when other Nigerians strike, the difference is clear. Do you remember the #EndSARS protests and #End hunger protests. We are sensitizing the government against the possibile consequences of peoples outrage.
“The Government must realize that it’s one thing to talk about extreme left wing market polices, the way Mr President is going.
“We have various levels of threats to aggregate our existence. There is no one at this moment except those who have access to public funds. It’s common for members of the economic team of this administration to give figures. But figures have to be realistic and inclusive”, according to NLC official, who argued that the harsh economic policies regime that will be remembered by Nigerians”, he said.
Upah further stated that unlike other climes where there is social security that deals with job losses, health insurance, energy and other aspects of life, which help to manage resentment and disillusionment, Nigeria lacks social protection.
“Everybody is on their own even up to the issue of providing electricity and security. The government is carrying on as it does not owe citizens obligation”, Upah said.
The NLC official insisted that the union expected President Bola Tinubu who assured leaders of the Labour leaders to accept N70,000 new minimum wage negotiation, which was not written, having assured Labour leaders that government will not increase the fuel if they back down on their agitation for N250,000 minimum wage monthly in the interest of Nigerians.
According to Upah, “Nigerians who think that the national leadership of organized Labour did not negotiate the approved new minimum wage with the Nigeria government acted in bad fate because their expectations have not been met by President Bola Tinubu-led government are either ignorant or inexperience based on their own assumptions.
TheNewspad reports that a litre of petrol soared from N200 in 2023 to over N850 per litre in September 2024 after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) which said last weekend in a statement that it can no longer guarantee energy security over $6 billion debts owed for importation of refined petroleum products.
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