• Demands Immediate Reversal of New Pump Price

• Safiu Kehinde

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of betraying public trust as they demand for the immediate reversal of the new price increase in pump price of petrol across the country.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Congress’ President, Joe Ajaero and made available to newsmen.

Following an alleged directive from the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) on Tuesday morning, which saw pump price of between N568 – N617 per litre increased to N855 – N897 per litre, Ajaero said the Congress felt a deep sense of betrayal by the increase in the pump price of petrol.

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

In reaction, Ajaero recalled that, one of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of petrol 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 N568 – N617 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 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, it’s front row cheer leaders sneered at us, saying we did not understand basic economics .

“But if truth be told, this act of betrayal is consistent,’” he said.

Ajaero also recalled the assurances given to the congress by the leadership of the National Assembly on the reversal of 250 per cent electricity tariff hike.

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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 pump price and electricity tariff, the NLC called for the release of all those incarcerated or being prosecuted for participating or purportedly participating in the recent #Endbadgovernance protest.

Ajaero said the Congress also demanded a halt in the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped up charges.

“The Congress demand a stop to the hijack of the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

“We also demand end to policies that engender hunger and insecurity as well as a halt to government’s culture of terror, fear and lying,” he said.

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