NLC Demands That The Increase In Gas Prices Be Reversed Immediately

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Tuesday that the fuel price increase announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has made life worse for Nigerians and called for an immediate reversal of the decision.

The NNPCL raised the pump price of gasoline from ₦568 to ₦855, ₦897 (depending on the area) in response to the ongoing fuel shortage in the nation.

NLC President Joe Ajaero denounced the action in a statement and charged that the Federal Government was betraying the labor movement.

“We demand the immediate reversal of the latest increase in the pump of PMS across the country, as well as the release of all individuals who are detained or facing charges based on their alleged involvement in the recent protests,” Ajaero stated.

“Stop the arbitrary detention and arrest of citizens on false accusations, reverse the 250% increase in the electricity tariff, and put an end to the Ministry of Labor and Employment’s duties being taken over.”

Put an end to laws that promote hunger and instability, and put an end to the government’s culture of deceit, deception, and terror. Our conviction in our nation and the necessity of preserving its integrity, sovereignty, and general well-being serve as our compass.

Traumatic laws
The NLC President claims that the new national minimum wage of N70,000 has not yet been implemented by the current administration.

Ajaero called the present administration’s policies “traumatic,” even as he accused it of being dishonest.

He noted that when President Bola Tinubu offered labor leaders the choice between N250,000 as the new minimum salary and the price of gasoline at N1,500, they declined the offer, citing the negative effects it would have on Nigerians.

But now, hardly a month later, with the government still having not started paying the new national minimum wage, we find ourselves up against an incomprehensible reality. It is terrifying as well as traumatic.

Nevertheless, the government’s front-row cheerleaders mocked us and claimed we were ignorant of fundamental economics when we informed them that our strategy for addressing the gasoline subsidy problems was obviously flawed and would not work.

However, this act of treachery is compatible with the nature of this regime, if the truth be told. We remember the National Assembly’s leadership assuring us that the 250% rate hike had been handled and that there was no need to confront the Minister of Power in public during that meeting,” the speaker stated.

Ajaero expressed sadness that “the rate has since been jerked up further putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy” rather than the anticipated reversal.