From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly expressed disappointment and a sense of betrayal over the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
NLC in a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, said the increase contradicts the agreement reached when the national minimum wage was set at N70,000.
The workers’ body recalled the stark choices presented by President Bola Tinubu to the Union during negotiations, when he asked them to either accept a minimum wage of N250,000 with a potential fuel price increase to between N1,500 and N2,000 per litre, or retain the N70,000 wage with old fuel prices.
The NLC said it opted for the latter to avoid further burdening Nigerians.
“But here we are, barely one month after and with government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain. It is both traumatic and nightmarish,” it decried.
In light of these issues, the NLC demanded the immediate reversal of the recent increase in the pump price of PMS; release of all individuals detained or prosecuted in connection with recent protests and cessation of arbitrary arrests and detentions based on false charges.
The Congress also called for reversal of the 250% electricity tariff hike; restoration of the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s role in trade dispute resolutions and implementation of policies that combat hunger and insecurity.
Additionally, it asked for an end to the government’s culture of fear, repression, and deceit.
The NLC said it will convene its appropriate bodies in the coming days to deliberate on further actions and will communicate its decisions to the public.
“when we told government that it’s approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, it’s front row cheer leaders sneered at us, saying we did not understand basic economics .
“But if truth be told, this act of betrayal is consistent with the character of this government. We recall the assurances we were given by the leadership of the National Assembly on the 250% tariff hike, that it had been dealt with and there was no need to openly engage the Minister of Power who was at that meeting.
“Instead of the promised reversal, the rate has since been jerked up further putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.
“The combined effects of government’s ferocious right -wing market policies brought Nigerians and Nigeria to their all-time low and led to the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.
“Rather than make amends, government arrested and hounded into detention some of those who took part and some of those who had nothing to do with these protests, charging them with criminal conspiracy, subversion, treasonable felony, terrorism financing and cyber crime with an intent to overthrow the government of President Tinubu.
“The police and other security agencies have since been on rampage terrorising the citizenry in pursuance of government’s agenda of muzzling lawful dissent.
“In brazen pursuit, they have defamed and libelled not a few individuals.
“They have gone as far as appropriating the statutory roles of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in resolving trade dispute matters and issues considered outside the jurisdiction of the security agencies.
“That the government is on rampage in the face of stifling conditions of living is an understatement but we promise Nigerians that we at the Nigeria Labour Congress will not be cowed into submission. Together with civil society, we brought about this democracy when some of the actors in power today were conspiring with the military on how to perpetuate their hold on political power.
“When the State and the security forces picked on us in a hybrid war, we had our suspicions. We knew they were up to something sinister and needed to distract/divert our attention or possibly frighten or weaken us before they came out with it so that we would not have a robust response.
“Now that they chickens have come to roost, we were right in our suspicions. However, we want to let Nigerians know that the clandestine/surreptitious increase in the pump price of pms is the first among the equally sinister policies government has up its sleeve.
“On our part, we stand resolute with the people and will neither be distracted nor intimidated by the government or its security agencies,” NLC declared.