Labour Reacts As FG Suspends Fuel Subsidy Removal

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has demanded that the federal government should re-engage the organised labour in discussions in order to find mutually acceptable solutions to the current quagmire in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sub-sector.

NLC also urged the Federal Government to announce the withdrawal of its plans to increase the pump price of petrol in the country.

Mr. Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, made this appeal in a letter addressed to state governors and jointly signed by the General Secretary of the congress, Mr. Emanuel Ugboaja.

Recall that the Federal government on Monday said there won’t be any removal of fuel subsidy due to perceived difficulties associated with it.

Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, said the Federal government was initially looking at the removal of fuel subsidy from July this year, after making provisions in the 2022 budget to cushion the effect.

Reacting, Wabba said, ”The Federal Government should demonstrate seriousness and commitment to overhauling our local refineries as a lasting panacea to mass importation of refined petroleum products.”

He also urged the federal Governments to take immediate steps to improve governance and public accountability.

This, he said, will help regain the confidence of Nigerians.

He also stressed that the organised labour is willing and ready to work with the government to find enduring solutions to the crisis in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and other areas of challenge in governance.