Moses Ofodeme
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has accused Federal Government of violating subsisting peaceful resolution with the increase in petrol price.
The TUC recalled that the action was a total violation of all agreements the Union had with the Federal Government.
The condemnation was contained in a statement jointly signed by TUC’s President, Mr Quadri Olaleye and its Secretary General, Mr Musa-Lawal Ozigi on Tuesday, November 17, in Lagos.
The statement noted that in spite of efforts made by the organised labour in its last meeting with government over hike in fuel price and electricity tariff, it had resolved to further impoverish Nigerians with the recent increase.
“We recall that at our meeting, government appealed that subsidy removal was the only way out; else the economy will collapse and there will be massive job losses.
“We agreed with them to save the economy and jobs.
“If the government claims to have deregulated the downstream sector of the oil and gas by removing fuel subsidy; it means the independent oil marketers are importing petrol at their own cost.
“Information at our disposal, however, is that no independent marketer is importing fuel because they cannot access dollars.
“The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporations (NNPC) is still holding on to that monopoly,” the TUC said.
The TUC expressed disappointment that government had again reneged on agreement reached with the organised labour sometime in September.
The duo said, “In few days, the various committees involving government; and the organised labour will brief labour and the civil society; and the outcome of that meeting will determine our next line of action.’’
Oriental News Nigeria, reports that earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday, November 16, condemned the new increase in the pump price of petrol announced last week by the Federal Government.
President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba; said the new price hike would increase the level of anguish in the country.
The union said the increase in the petrol pump price was “against the spirit and content” of the organised labour; agreement with the Federal Government during last negotiations over a similar hike in the price of the product.