The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed serious concerns over the continuous rise in fuel prices, warning that Nigerians could soon be paying as much as N5,000 per litre if current trends persist.
Speaking in a published interview yesterday, spokesperson for the NLC, Benson Upah, said the latest fuel price hike directly contradicts an agreement reached between the union and the Federal Government.
Upah revealed that the NLC is planning to hold a meeting with its key organs to determine the union’s next course of action. He indicated that the decision would be made collectively, considering the mood of the country, which he described as one of widespread anger. He also suggested that Nigerians, apart from the wealthiest few, are bearing the brunt of the Government’s policies.
According to him, “There is a general feeling of betrayal among the leadership of the NLC following the Government’s decision to increase the pump price of petrol. When President Tinubu initially called for negotiations, the NLC rejected a proposed increase that would have seen prices soar to as high as N2,000 per litre. Yet, just a month later, we are seeing similar price hikes”.
Upah criticised the Government’s handling of the issue, stating that promises made by President Tinubu to the union have been violated.
Recall that the initial removal of the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023 led to an unprecedented hike in fuel prices, which Nigerians have struggled to cope with. As costs of education, transportation, and basic goods skyrocketed, Upah noted that the Government introduced additional price hikes, further exacerbating the situation.
Upah argued that there is no justification for the recent increase from N650 to N1,000 per litre, especially given the current minimum wage, which remains stagnant in most States. He said only Adamawa State has started paying the revised minimum wage, despite other States receiving significantly higher allocations from the Federation Account.
Moreover, he expressed skepticism about the Government’s promises of alternative solutions, such as the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. According to him, such promises have yielded little to no results. He recalled that under past administrations, measures were taken to mitigate the effects of fuel price increases, contrasting them with the current government’s lack of preparation.
In response to the Government’s claim that Nigerians need to endure these economic pains for a better future, Upah retorted that such statements insult the intelligence of ordinary Nigerians. He argued that the officials making these remarks are shielded from the realities faced by the average citizen, as they benefit from Government subsidies.
He emphasised the NLC’s discontent with the current administration and warned that if the Government continues on this path, the cost of fuel may escalate to as high as N5,000 per litre, a situation that would leave many Nigerians in a worse economic position than ever before.
