NLC Slams FG Over Petrol Price Hike

NLC Rejects FG's Fuel Price Trick

The NLC, under the leadership of President Joe Ajaero, issued...

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejects petrol price hike, accusing Federal Government of betrayal. Petrol prices surge to N855 at NNPC stations, worsening fuel scarcity and economic hardship.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vehemently opposed the recent hike in petrol pump price, characterizing it as a devastating blow to the already beleaguered Nigerian masses. The increase, which saw the pump price soar to N855 at NNPC stations on Tuesday, has exacerbated the existing fuel scarcity and economic hardship.

The NLC expressed a deep sense of betrayal by the Federal Government, citing the agreement reached during the minimum wage negotiations. Labour had reluctantly accepted a minimum wage of N70,000, significantly lower than its initial demand of N250,000, under the assumption that the government would not impose further increases in fuel prices. This perceived breach of trust has sparked outrage among labour leaders.

The NLC, under the leadership of President Joe Ajaero, issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning the petrol price hike and demanding its reversal.

Official statement titled; “We feel betrayed,” reads, “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.”

Upon assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of oil subsidies, marking a significant shift in the country's energy policy. This move has had a profound impact on the prices of petrol, which have skyrocketed in the months that followed.

Prior to President Tinubu's tenure, the average price of petrol hovered between N200 and N250, a relatively stable range during the administration of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. However, since the subsidy removal, petrol prices have surged, with private stations now selling for as high as N1,000, while NNPC stations sell at N855, exacerbating the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.

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