The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has bemoaned the alleged betrayal of Nigerians by the federal government and called for the immediate reversal of the new price increase in the 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 increase in its pump price of between N568 – N617 per litre to N855 – 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 petrol.
He 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.
Fuel pump price hike: Motorists, commuters, traders express frustration
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 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.
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 participated 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.
Full text of NLC statement
WE FEEL BETRAYED — NLC
03 Sep 2024
Press Statement
(03/09/2024)
WE FEEL BETRAYED
We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of pms. One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of pms would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.
We recall vividly when Mr President gave us the devil’s alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old pms rates), 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 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 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.
Instead of the promised reversal, the rate has since been jerked up further putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.
The combined effects of government’s ferocious right -wing market policies brought Nigerians and Nigeria to their all-time low and led to the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.
Rather than make amends, government arrested and hounded into detention some of those who took part and some of those who had nothing to do with these protests, charging them with criminal conspiracy, subversion, treasonable felony, terrorism financing and cyber crime with an intent to overthrow the government of President Tinubu.
The police and other security agencies have since been on rampage terrorising the citizenry in pursuance of government’s agenda of muzzling lawful dissent.
In brazen pursuit, they have defamed and libelled not a few individuals.
They have gone as far as appropriating the statutory roles of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in resolving trade dispute matters and issues considered outside the jurisdiction of the security agencies.
That the government is on rampage in the face of stifling conditions of living is an understatement but we promise Nigerians that we at the Nigeria Labour Congress will not be cowed into submission. Together with civil society, we brought about this democracy when some of the actors in power today were conspiring with the military on how to perpetuate their hold on political power.
When the State and the security forces picked on us in a hybrid war, we had our suspicions. We knew they were up to something sinister and needed to distract/divert our attention or possibly frighten or weaken us before they came out with it so that we would not have a robust response.
Now that they chickens have come to roost, we were right in our suspicions. However, we want to let Nigerians know that the clandestine/surreptitious increase in the pump price of pms is the first among the equally sinister policies government has up its sleeve.
On our part, we stand resolute with the people and will neither be distracted nor intimidated by the government or its security agencies.
We insist that government cannot criminalise protests or basic rights in the domain of the citizenry.
Accordingly, we demand the immediate:
1). Reversal of the latest increase in the pump of pms across the country;
2). Release of all those incarcerated or being prosecuted on the assumption of having participated in the recent protests;
3). Halt the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped up charges;
4). Reversal of the 250% tariff hike in electricity;
5). Stop to the hijack of the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment;
6). End to policies that engender hunger and insecurity;
7). 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.
In the coming days, the appropriate organs of the Congress will be meeting to take appropriate decisions which will be made public.
Comrade Joe Ajaero
President
