NLC, TUC set stage for nationwide shut down, issue ultimatum to FG

A strike action by the organised labour is imminent as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and their civil society allies on Saturday issued a four day ultimatum to the Federal Government to revert to the old pump price of petrol or face a nationwide shut down of the economy.

In a joint communiqué signed by the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart, Bobboi Kaigama, they urged Nigerians to stockpile enough food items to last them awhile for the prosecution of the current struggle against neo-liberal agenda in Nigeria.

Justifying the need for the planned strike action, Wabba said: “The price hike from N86:50 to N145, representing 67.63% increase, is the height of insensitivity and impunity as there was no previous consultation with stake holders, especially the organised labour, or any justification for this reckless decision other than the fact that government believes it is accountable to no one.”

Read also: New petrol price: TUC adamant, tells FG to revert to old price immediately

The government, he stressed, “Cannot justify the new price increase other than the puerile explanation that marketers need to recover their costs, without a thought for the aggregate or larger national interest including the need for local refining and creation of jobs.

“The implications are costly and far-reaching, with the first and most significant being that we have become dependent on massive importation of refined products to meet our domestic needs in contra-distinction to other OPEC members.”

The NLC boss also reiterated the position of the organised labour for the subsidy thieves to be brought to book. “Government must intensify the prosecution of all those involved in subsidy scams with a view to recovery and sanctioning of the culpable; put in place enhanced local refining capacity within a specified period  in place of endless importation as an enduring solution to the perennial problem of scarcity.”

 

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