* Flays govt’s insensitivity to citizens’ plight
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has requested the Federal government to revert to the N121 old price at which petrol was sold during the lockdown to control COVID -19.
The NLC said it rejects the new pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) aka petrol.
The Federal government on Wednesday through the Petroleum Pricing Marketing Company (PPMC) increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N138 to NN151.56 per litre, triggering marketers to increase pump price from N148 to N162 per litre.
“We demand that the Federal government reverts to the old price of N121 given during the lockdown associated with COVID-19 pandemic, which Nigerians who were mainly confined in their houses hardly enjoyed.
“We also renew our call for a national conversation on the management of our oil assets which we insist must be in tandem with the provisions our country’s constitution which clearly mandates that the commanding heights of our national economy must be held by the government in the interest of the citizens of Nigeria,” the NLC said.
In a statement by its President, Ayuba Wabba, the NLC stated that the latest increase in the price of petrol is a crass display of complete apathy to the sufferings Nigerians are going through at this time.
The Nigerian government, labour stated, is increasing taxes and hiking tariffs on essential goods at a time other countries also going through the blues of COVID-19 pandemic are reducing taxes, increasing welfare benefits and providing palliatives to their citizens. That would break the camel’s back.”
The NLC urged the government to fix the four refineries without delay.
“Finally, we demand that our four national petroleum refineries must be fixed without any further delay. Nigerian workers want to be appraised of the timeline set by government to ensure that this is effectively done.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Workers are major stakeholders in the Nigerian project. Nigerian workers and people must not only be treated fairly but must be seen to have been so treated by their government,” the statement added.
– Media Report