Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has expressed outrage and disappointment over the federal government’s “clandestine increase” in the pump price of premium motor spirit, PMS, describing it as a “deep sense of betrayal.”
In a statement signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the union demanded for immediate reversal of the latest PMS price increase, noting that its agreement to accept the N70,000 national minimum wage based on the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased.
This is the Federal Government’s through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, yesterday announced the official increment on the pump price of PMS from N650 per litre to N865 per litre.
Reacting, the union recalled its negotiations with the government, where President Tinubu presented them with “devil’s alternatives” either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to a pump price increase between N1,500 and N2,000) or N70,000 (at old PMS rates).
Ajaero said the organised labour opted for the latter, but now feels betrayed by the government’s actions.
“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,” Ajaero said.
The NLC accused the government of pursuing “ferocious right-wing market policies” that have brought Nigerians to their “all-time low” and led to the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.
The union criticized the government’s approach to resolving fuel subsidy contradictions, saying it was “patently faulty” and would not last.
“When we told government that its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, its front-row cheerleaders 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.”
The union also recalled the government’s assurances on the 250% tariff hike, which have not been fulfilled, regretting that instead, the rate has been increased further, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.
“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 NLC condemned the government’s crackdown on protesters and activists, including arrests, detentions, and charges of criminal conspiracy, subversion, treasonable felony, terrorism financing, and cybercrime.
“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.
“We are guided by our belief in our country and the need to secure and sustain its sovereignty, integrity, and welfare of the people. In the coming days, the appropriate organs of the Congress will be meeting to take appropriate decisions, which will be made public.”
The union demanded immediate action from the government, including, “Reversal of the latest increase in the pump price of PMS across the country.”
“Release of all those incarcerated or being prosecuted on the assumption of having participated in the recent protests. Halt to indiscriminate arrests and detentions of citizens on trumped-up charges.
“Reversal of the 250% tariff hike in electricity. Stop to the hijack of the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. End to policies that engender hunger and insecurity. Halt to government’s culture of terror, fear, and lying.”
