Ayuba Wabba, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),
says the planned increase in the price of petrol will send many Nigerians to
“early graves”.
The federal government might may increase the price of
petrol to N302 per litre in February if the recommendation of the ad hoc
committee of the National Economic Council (NEC) is implemented.
In October, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national
planning, said the federal government would only cater for subsidy on petrol in
the first six months of 2022 as it planned to deregulate the downstream oil and
gas sector.
The announcement stirred up reactions among Nigerians, with
the NLC threatening to embark on strike if the federal government goes ahead
with the plan.
Speaking on the development on Thursday, Ayuba, in an
interview on Channels Television, insisted that labour unions will resist the
proposed hike.
“In 2016, they promised minimum wage will be implemented and
everybody will be paid. As I speak to you, six states have not even started. It
is part of the agreement,” he said.
“About the palliative in 2016, we also discussed palliative.
N500 billion was earmarked for palliative, including housing and the issue of
transportation. These things are not in place.
“Therefore, it goes
beyond promise. It is now about looking at the issue and importantly, the whole
world is now in a very precarious situation. Many workers have lost their jobs,
those on fixed wages their salaries cannot take them home — that is the
reality.
“In this complex issue, if we compound it with the price
hike of PMS, it then means that many people will go to their graves early. It
is better we try to also resist the issue and make sure people are safe.”
‘NIGERIA HAS NO
REASON TO IMPORT PETROL’
Speaking further, Ayuba said Nigeria has every reason not to
import refined fuel products, adding that the country has four refineries that
should be functional.
“We have every reason
not to import refined products. We have four refineries that are moribund.
Those refineries are new; they are not old,” he said.
“In India, we have a refinery that is 100 years old.
Refineries can be refurbished. Refineries can be upgraded from one refining
capacity to another. This can be done.
“Those refineries are not old. Deliberately, they are made
not to work just because there are a lot of incentives.”
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