Fuel price hike, another one, surfaced again on October 9, as NNPCL suddenly took petrol beyond the reach of the common man. NLC kicks, but is that enough?
Fuel price hike, another by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has faced sharp criticism from Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Nigerians woke on October 9 to grapple with another petrol price increase. Ajaero emphasized that a private company should not dictate fuel prices to the citizens of Nigeria.
On Wednesday, NNPCL raised the retail price of petrol from N897 to N1,030 per litre across several states. This marks the second price increase in just one month, following a previous rise from N617 to N897 in September, which amounts to a 14.8 percent increase, or N133.
Ajaero attacks government over fuel price hike
In addressing this troubling development, Ajaero criticized the administration led by President Bola Tinubu for its failure to implement the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, despite being over a year into its term. He pointed out that the Port Harcourt refinery has not resumed operations. This is despite agreements among the federal government, the NLC, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
During a book launch titled “The Tripartite: Understanding the Interplay between Workers, Employers, and Government,” written by Sharon Ijasan, Ajaero highlighted the impact of this fuel price hike on everyday Nigerians. “As we sit here, they have gone ahead to increase the pump price of petroleum again,” he lamented. “What do we do in such instances? They expect us to simply pay it.”
…Calls for Collective Action
Ajaero continued to stress that essential services, such as CNG alternatives, had been requested for over a year. He also urged the government to prioritize the operationalization of the Port Harcourt refinery. “We had an agreement about this,” he stated, referencing discussions among the NLC, TUC, and the federal government.
He further noted that while Dangote Refinery is producing locally, fuel prices continue to rise. “All the reasons given for deregulation have proven negative,” Ajaero said. “You are fixing prices as a private company. Can NNPCL dictate prices for Dangote and other private entities? Those are critical questions that need answers.”
Economic Concerns and Minimum Wage Issues
Ajaero raised concerns about the implications of the fuel price hike on the N70,000 minimum wage.
He also called for collective action against the fuel price hike. “Nigerians expect the labour movement to respond to this increase. Whether we can achieve some relief or not, it is crucial for workers to benefit from our efforts. Mobilization is key,” he urged.
Finally, Ajaero appealed to the National Assembly for clarity regarding the coverage of the N70,000 minimum wage, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the agreement and its implications for Nigerian workers.
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