Reactions Continue to Trails Fuel Increase
The recent increase in the prices of petroleum products has been described by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria TUC as a violation of the union agreements by the Federal Government.
In a statement jointly signed by TUC’s President, Mr. Quadri Olaleye, and its Secretary-General, Mr. Musa-Lawal Ozigi in Lagos yesterday, the union noted that despite efforts made by the organized labor during its last meeting with the government over the hike in fuel price and electricity tariffs, 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.”
On his part, a human right activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Nigerians not to be deceived by the empty threats being made by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the recent additional increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit.
Frank while reacting to the accelerated increases in the pump price of fuel within few months by the Federal Government, said that it was said that the NLC that was supposed to fight for the welfare of workers and by extension the masses, betrayed Nigerians.
He said rather than champion the cause of the ordinary Nigerian, the NLC sold out, became a tool of deception and oppression in the hands of the government.
He described the NLC’s statement rejecting the present fuel price increase as a “Nollywood script” as “Nigerians know that the labor unions have connived and agreed to the increase before it was announced by the Federal Government.
Frank, therefore, called on Nigerians to take their destinies into their hands by resisting the antipeople, anti-democratic, and wicked policies and programs of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime.
He further challenged the NLC to make public its agreement with the Government following the last sharp increases in electricity tariffs and the pump price of petrol in September.
Meanwhile last week, Reno omokri another activist in a tweet urged the President Mohammadu Buhari-led administration not to increase an already recently increase fuel price as it will push citizens too far as Nigerians are currently going through some of the most challenging times of their national life.
