Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the federal government of Nigeria against plans to remove oil subsidies especially on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that presently, there is apprehension in the polity following the National Economic Council (NEC) recommendation of ₦302 per litre of petrol.
Ikechukwu Nwafor, Ebonyi NLC chairman told newsmen on Friday that the government should reconsider its proposed action and halt the move.
He warned that another increment in pump price would worsen the economic situation millions are enduring
The labour leader said the nation’s refineries should be fixed to put an end to importation.
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‘This is not the right time to increase pump price when the cost of living is difficult. Prices of food commodities are already beyond the capacity of civil servants.
‘How will the civil servants, who are the engine of the economy, cope? We are telling the federal government to consider the consequences of the increase on the masses and the economy.’
Nwafor added that government decision would affect transportation, food items, clothing, housing, among others, if it goes into effect.
On the protest scheduled for January 27, the NLC chairman confirmed members were prepared to come out in opposition.
‘We have mobilised and we have had a series of meetings. We will continue to meet for proper planning‘, he disclosed.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan on Wednesday submitted that President Muhammadu Buhari did not at any point direct anyone in his administration to implement the removal of petroleum subsidy.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, had last October, announced that the federal government made provision for petrol subsidy only for the first six months of 2022 as the government looked towards complete deregulation of the sector.
However, while speaking with reporters after meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, Lawan said he told Buhari about the feelings and concerns of his constituents on critical issues, including the proposed removal of subsidy.
The Senate President said he raised the issue with the president because lawmakers were worried about the agitations and protests around the country over the move to end petrol subsidy.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
