NLC accuses FG of betrayal over hike in petrol pump price, demands reversal

By Idris Temidayo

Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says the union feels betrayed by the federal government with the hike in petrol price.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ajaero lamented that the federal government increased the pump price when it has not implemented the N70,000 minimum wage approved in July.

Earlier, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) increased the pump price across all its retail outlets in the country.

The pump price has been increased from N568 to N855, N897 (depending on the location per litre).

Ajaero said the labour body accepted the N70,000 minimum wage during negotiation with President Bola Tinubu based on the promise that there would be no increase in the petrol pump price.

“But here we are, barely one month after and with the government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain. It is both traumatic and nightmarish,” the statement reads.

“Yet, when we told the government that it’s approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, it’s front-row cheer leaders sneered at us, saying we did not understand basic economics.

“But if truth be told, this act of betrayal is consistent with the character of this government. We recall the assurances we were given by the leadership of the National Assembly on the 250% tariff hike, that it had been dealt with and there was no need to openly engage the Minister of Power who was at that meeting.

“We demand the immediate reversal of the latest increase in the pump of PMS across the country, release of all those incarcerated or being prosecuted on the assumption of having participated in the recent protests.

“Halt the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped up charges, reversal of the 250% tariff hike in electricity, stop to the hijack of the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

“End to policies that engender hunger and insecurity, Halt to government’s culture of terror, fear and lying. We are guided by our belief in our country and the need to secure and sustain its sovereignty, integrity and welfare of the people.”

While accusing the government of insincerity, Ajaero described the policies of the current administration as traumatic.

Ajaero regretted that instead of the promised reversal, “the rate has since been jerked up further putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.”