Tobias Sylvester
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have both rejected the recent increase in the price of petrol in the country.
KanyiDaily recalls that the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had announced yesterday that Petrol price in Nigeria has been increased fom N138 to N151.56, with immediate effect.
Reacting to the development, the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, told journalists in Abuja that the labour movement was shocked over the fuel price hike.
Wabba threatened that the NLC would no longer guarantee industrial peace, adding that an emergency meeting of its organs will be called to deliberate on the next line of actions to take,
“In fact, Nigerians and even NLC we are shocked, and this increase is coming at a time when many Nigerians are passing through very peculiar and precarious times.
“It is like Nigerians are being taken for a ride; the increase in price of petrol is like adding salt to injury.
“The increase in price of petrol has happened now more than three times in three months; only yesterday they hiked the tariffs of electricity. And to compound it, they also reduced the interest rate of savings, which affects mostly the poor and the vulnerable.
“While rejecting this with the strongest terms, I think Nigerian government is taking Nigerians for granted.
“At the end of the day, Nigerians are becoming poorer and poorer; in fact, many people are already on the edge. Many workers are already on the edge.
“Certainly, we cannot guarantee industrial peace and harmony, and we will have to call our organs and we will have to also react but we reject it in its entirety,” he explained.
Wabba said that federal government has betrayed the trust of Nigerians. He said the government has failed to protect Nigerians against “the economic challenge that is affecting us.”
Also reacting to the development, the CUPP vowed to not only take legal action against the increase, but to also reach out with a view to mobilising civil society organisations and organised groups for mass action against President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere, the coalition lamented that the fuel increase came barely one day after the hike in electricity tariff by Buhari’government took effect. It added:
“We, therefore, reject this senseless, heartless, insensitive and wicked increase in its entirety,” CUPP said.
“The CUPP holds the view that this latest poison from the chalice of the All Progressives Congress’ government is meant to kill more Nigerians with suffering contrary to the oath Buhari swore to protect them.
“We are therefore calling on this government to rescind this unpopular decision with immediate effect. Failure to do this, the CUPP will be taking a legal action to force this government to do so.
“Apart from the legal option, we shall also begin to reach out with a view to mobilising civil society organisations and organised groups for mass action.
“The Opposition Coalition Human Mobilisation head, Barr. Kenneth Udeze will in the days ahead, start meeting with organised groups to mobilise them to be on same page with the Opposition
“We urge Nigerians to be ready to take an active part in the proposed mass civil action in case the Federal Government, in its usual style turns a deaf ear to our legitimate and patriotic call.”
KanyiDaily had reported how two Nigerian refineries spent a whopping sum of N85.9 billion in expenses, but produced no fuel in 13 months.
