"premeditated ambush by the government which clearly did not invite us for any dialogue".
The Congress said they were unaware of how the government arrived at the new price as well as the decision of the government to allow market forces alone determine the cost of the product.
The statement explain that when the government brought up the issue of a price increase, leaders of organised labour present at the meeting requested for time to consult their various organs and report back and were allowed to leave the meeting for consultation.
The statement reads: "The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria wishes to state emphatically that we do not know how the Federal Government arrived at the new price of N145 for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol. Neither do we appreciate how they arrived at their decision to allow market forces alone determine the cost of the product.
"The Congress wants to use this opportunity to put the records straight concerning the development. The organised labour received a 24-hour notice inviting us to meet with Vice President Osinbajo and some other key government functionaries including the Minister of Labour and Employment, the Minister of Information, the Chairman of the Governor's Forum, and the Minister of State for Petroleum.
"Others include the principal officers of the National Assembly led by the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chairmen of the respective Committees on Petroleum in both chambers of the Assembly.
"The meeting held yesterday. The call for meeting stated no specific agenda, and we were left to conjecture. Little did we know that the government had already concluded plans to hike the price of petrol. Indeed we were taken aback.
"The meeting had the leadership of labour in attendance, but we never made any input. Not with the shock we experienced at the premeditated "ambush" by the government which clearly did not invite us for any dialogue.
"When they stated their plan to introduce the new prices, our response was to ask for time to consult with our respective executive organs and subsequently revert appropriately. The government representatives agreed. And so we left.
"We were therefore totally confounded and shocked when we got to know that they later went on air announcing new prices for petrol. But our focus and hope remain strong. We know what to do.
"Thus the TUC has scheduled an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) for Friday 13 May, 2016 to x-ray the government's pronouncement and take a stand on the matter in the best interest of Nigerian workers and the masses of our people.
"To say Nigerians are disappointed and dismayed at the fuel price hike would be a colossal understatement, especially as the present APC government repeatedly insisted during their pre-2015 election campaigns that there was already nothing like subsidy during the immediate past administration. Alas, what a great volte face! What betrayal in high places!
"For sure, we know that the fuel scarcity the nation is currently experiencing is artificial, and we have observed comments of those benefiting from the system commending the latest development.
"For us, the fact that petrol is currently selling for between N150 and N250 per litre does not mean that such outlandish prices should be maintained, least of all endorsed as official policy. We are meeting soon and will come out with our position. God bless Nigeria and her people".
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TUC and NLC are fantastically APC agencies. So why are you disappointed?
ReplyDeleteTUC and NLC executives are mostly an extension of APC members now. So we are not surprised. Nigerian that is the change. God will surely arise and defend the poor masses.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe than someone who claim to be a servant of God (Pastor) can chair a meeting of mediocres just to inflict more pains on already inflicted Nigerians. NLC and TUC, I hope you are not playing games because i remember what happened in the past and they later kept shut after many laudable noises.
ReplyDelete#GodWillFight4Us#
I can't believe that someone who claims to be a servant of God (Pastor) can chair a meeting of mediocres just to inflict more pains on already inflicted Nigerians. NLC and TUC, I hope you are not playing games because i remember what happened in the past and they later kept shut after many laudable noises which were subdued by bribery.
ReplyDelete#GodWillFight4Us#
Let's face it, "WE ALL FAILED OURSELVES".
ReplyDeleteWhat Nigerians failed to realize is that any policy that is for the Common Good must be guarded by "EVERYBODY" and "NOT JUST THE GOVERNMENT AND IT'S AGENCIES ALONE".
It's been several weeks now and with all the Scarce Dollars (thank God the looting spree era of GEJ/PDP/Etc has ceased) being injected into PMS (By the way why PMS only, we must really be smoking something here in Nigeria) all to no avail.
Instead, you have the hoodlum Marketers feasting on Nigerians. NNPC brings in PMS at lower prices, Marketers collect and sells at exorbitant prices and instead of Nigerians to Organize themselves into enforcement Groups and defend the Government Policy and Help it to work for the common good, they fold their hands and just talk grammar and never put in any effort. It's common knowledge that daylight robbery is being perpetuated by Marketers and Hardship being inflicted on Nigerians yet the TLC, NLC, etc never saw it fit to start their own monitoring and help curb the illicit and irresponsible behaviours.
Even, the depots were not left out of the illicit dealings. Hoodlums were busy smiling to the Banks (Even under this Mantra of Change).
With all these, what is the most logical thing to then do? Please let us be serious and proffer realistic ways forward rather than engaging in ranting lunacies.
The Unions and Legislatures should start looking at proffering palliatives to cushion the effect of the deregulation rather than wasting unnecessary time.
Nigerians actually firmly set sail the Ship of Deregulation and the Government has no other choice than to Board That Ship.
The Deregulation Ship has left the Port. Please let's start talking of other useful things.
Where are we from, we are from an era of plundering and bleeding of our dear Nation's commonwealth dry by highly irresponsible GEJ, PDP and cohorts.
What do we need right now, the message of creativity, perseverance, understanding, cooperation, patience, sense of belonging and responsibility.
This Change shall work when we all work together.
May God complete the deliverance of Nigeria from utter backwardness in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
May the Lord continue to frustrate and reduce to oblivion all the known and secret enemies of Nigeria in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen and Amen.
May the Lord erase all the known and secret enemies of Nigeria like human fart in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen and Amen.
name of Jesus Christ, Amen and Amen.
These APC bandits cannot say 2 words without mentioning GEJ. It is a sick obsession and joke of the century. Whenever these creatures bungle something or perpetrate evil they keep chanting GEJ this, GEJ that.
DeleteAbegi, let us hear word.