The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized the recent increase in petrol prices, describing the move as insensitive to the plight of ordinary Nigerians. The hike, which saw pump prices rise to between N1,050 and N1,150 per litre, has sparked outrage among labour unions, who fear it will exacerbate inflation and worsen the nation’s economic challenges.
Senior NLC officials voiced their concerns in separate interviews, emphasizing that the government has failed to involve key stakeholders in discussions before implementing such a drastic change.
Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, said, “This pump price hike will not only affect foodstuff and fare. There is the problem of inflation and the value of naira to contend with. Instead, what we are seeing is a situation we call Tinubunomics. It is something that has not been tested.
“When you talk about subsidies, is there a country that doesn’t have it? It’s all over the world. Even most of the goods you see in this country from China are subsidised. You are refusing to subsidise fuel and also refusing to even facilitate the so-called CNG buses. How many years does it take to do something like this
“If you know the kind of game we (the NLC) and them are playing on this CNG thing. Now, they are not even involving the people in the so-called CNG conversion. If you promise to run an inclusive government, It’s not just you that should be doing the talking. Yet, when somebody talks, they send attack dogs to attack and label him a member of the Obidient movement.”
“Such discussions were held in the Villa. Every month people would be invited and issues would be discussed. We’re not saying you shouldn’t do it. But please, carry people along. Let us know why you want to do these things so people will be prepared.
“But you can’t just keep changing the prices without any regard for us? This is what is causing all this frustration. They are not carrying the masses along. They have virtually made it difficult for the NLC to be involved in anything they are doing. Nigeria is not the personal property of anybody.
“If you are going to do anything that will involve the masses, you should call the people who represent the workers at least. You have certain blocks and groups of people in this country that have representatives, even in the so-called business sector that you can talk to,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Lagos State NLC, Sessi Funmi, accused oil marketers of exploiting Nigerians by manipulating prices. “Marketers are the problem. They’ve been receiving subsidies without supplying products and now want to determine prices when they don’t even own refineries,” she stated. Funmi applauded President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to revive the nation’s refineries but urged stricter measures to prevent exploitative practices.
