NLC urges reversal of new pump price of petrol

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate reversal of the new price increase in pump price of petrol across the country.

The Congress made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, and made available to newsmen.

The Nigerian Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) on Tuesday morning reportedly directed an increase in its pump price of between N568 and N617 per litre to N855 and N897 per litre, depending on the area.

Although the company had denied issuing the directive, checks at NNPCL retail stations in Abuja reflected the new price of N897 per litre

Reacting to the development, Ajaero said the Congress felt a deep sense of betrayal by the increase in the pump price of gasoline.

He recalled that one of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of gasoline would not be increased, even as they knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.

The labour leader recalled their meeting with President Bola Tinubu, where they were given the options of either N250,000 minimum wage and a rise of pump price between N1,500 and N2,000 or N70,000 minimum wage and retaining pump price of N568N6N617 per litre.

“We opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment 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 it’s approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, they did not agree with us,” he said.

Ajaero also recalled the assurances given to Congress by the leadership of the National Assembly on the reversal of the 250 percent electricity tariff hike.

He said, instead of the promised reversal, the rate has since been jerked up further, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.

In addition to the reversal of the increased price of petrol pumps and electricity tariffs, the NLC called for the release of those incarcerated for participating in the recent #Endbadgovernance protest.

Ajaero said in the coming days, the appropriate organs of the congress would be meeting to take appropriate decisions, which would be made public.