The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has asked the Federal Government to make petrol available at the official pump price of 180/litre, saying Nigerians cannot continue to pay for the product at higher prices.
In a New Year message made available to our correspondent in
Abuja, the labour union stated that the year 2022 was quite challenging in
virtually all fronts including security, politics, economy, health and social
life.
It, however, said that there “is hope for a glorious 2023 if
we are ready to birth the necessary change and hold our leaders accountable as
Nigeria we earnestly desire can only be achieved through collective struggle.”
The statement read in part, “The TUC rejects the clamour by
some politicians and political office holders to continue the importation of
petroleum products at prohibitive costs while simultaneously, campaigning and
making moves to stop fuel subsidy.
Politicians who love Nigerians would first return the country to local
refining thereby creating mass jobs and making the products cheap, accessible
and available before contemplating the removal of fuel subsidies.
“We also demand that the Buhari government ensures that PMS
is available and sold at the official pump price in fuel stations. The emergent
culture of selling such highly inflammable commodities in jerry cans on street
corners and residential houses must be stopped.”
The union recalled that the life of the Nigerian masses was
made more difficult by hyperinflation which notched above 20 per-cent, the
misery index which soared to an all-time high, hydra-headed unemployment and
numerous unfulfilled promises.
Speaking further, the TUC decried the high level of
insecurity and inflation, saying “the war against banditry, terrorism and
sectarian violence must be total and uncompromising.”
It added, “There should also be a general mobilisation of
the populace in this war that must be won for our country to survive. We warn
against attempts in some quarters to rebrand criminals and terrorists as
freedom fighters or treat them with kid gloves. We, therefore, demand that
insecurity be tackled by all means including mobilizing the citizenry to defend
themselves against bandits and terrorists.
“Inflation has eroded the purchasing power of Nigeria
workers, the minimum wage has been further deleted and the value of naira has
become worthless.”