Our Aproko Ears Have Heard Again o!!!
Reports reaching us from the president of The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Wabba, (mni) stating for and on behalf of Nigeria Workers, Civil society allies, and the Masses, addressing the press after it's National Working Committee meeting in Abuja today, NLC leaders have advised Nigerians to stock up enough food ahead of the protest against fuel subsidy removal scheduled for Wednesday, May 18 2016. The NLC has ordered the federal government to
reverse the pump price of petrol from N145 per litre to its original price of N86.50 per litre within three days or face the consequences of indefinite strike nationwide.
According to our sources from the emergency meeting held at Abuja, They expressed concern about government's neo-liberal policies which it considered a betrayal of its electioneering promises during campaigning of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Muhammadu Buhari as observed below:
Last year during the electoral campaign of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Muhammadu Buhari, promises were made that if returned elected, there would be no removal of fuel subsidy if any existed at all.
Subsequently after his election, President Muhammadu Buhari noted that there was subsidy in the petroleum product price, stating that its removal would be of no benefit to the masses but rather bring about inflation and untold hardship upon the people and this resulted to the reduction in pump price of PMS to N86.50 as at January 18,2016.
Our very refined ears also heard that, The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had been speaking from both sides of his mouth, as at last year, he had canvassed for subsidy removal but just a month ago, he stated that subsidy had already been removed thereby saving $1billion to the Nigeria revenue account.
NLC also stated that, In line with the fact that the board of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) is yet to be reconstituted, announcement of price variation by any other agency outside the PPPRA is illegal and thereby an unlawful imposition of price upon the masses.
They stated that, the sudden price increase from N86.50 to N145 which is about 67.63% increase is the height of impunity as there was consultation with stake holders, Leaders of the organized labour nor is there any legal justification to such insensitive and reckless decision other than an abuse of government power.
Increase in fuel pump price is unacceptable as there has been no increase in wages, salaries or pensions of workers in the past five years while there has been rapid devaluations, inflation and economic hardship, thus the NLC has rejected the new set price of N145 just as it did in protest against the criminal increase in electricity tariff in the epileptic power supply nationwide.
The president of the NLC has claimed that the NLC, TUC, and other civil society allies will continue to protect the interest of the general public and Nigeria people for the good and progress of the Nation. If the government fail to reverse the pump price to its original price of N86.50 on or before midnight on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and their civil society allies shall resolve to commence with effect from Wednesday, May 18, 2016 a nationwide protest, shut down of all banks, sea, airports, government and privately owned offices as well as Markets and embark on an indefinite strike action nationwide until there's a reverse in the fuel pump price and electricity tariffs.
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