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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) says the increase in petrol
price is in violation of all agreements the union had with the Federal
Government.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by TUC’s President, Mr
Quadri Olaleye and its Secretary-General, Mr Musa-Lawal Ozigi on Tuesday
in Lagos.
The statement noted that in spite of efforts made by the organised
labour in its last meeting with government over hike in fuel price and
electricity tariff, it had resolved to further impoverish Nigerians with
the recent increase.
“We recall that at our meeting, the government appealed that subsidy
removal was the only way out, else the economy will collapse and there
will be massive job losses.
“We agreed with them to save the economy and jobs.
“If the government claims to have deregulated the downstream sector of
the oil and gas by removing fuel subsidy, it means the independent oil
marketers are importing petrol at their own cost.
“Information at our disposal, however, is that no independent marketer
is importing fuel because they cannot access dollars.
“The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporations (NNPC) is still holding on
to that monopoly,” the duo said.
Both leaders expressed disappointment that the government had again
reneged on an agreement reached with the organised labour sometime in
September.
The duo said, “In few days, the various committees involving government
and the organised labour will brief labour and the civil society and the
outcome of that meeting will determine our next line of action.’’