Oscarline Onwuemenyi
02 September 2016, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will resist any further increase in the pump price of fuel by the Federal Government, saying the nation is yet to recover from the impact of the recent increase of petroleum products implemented last year.
A statement from the NLC headquarters noted that the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who was speaking at the 14th edition of the NLC special school programme, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the organized labour will surely go on strike if the government attempts to increase fuel price.
Wabba said despite the change mantra of the present administration and the promise to the people, the socio-economic conditions of average Nigerians have continued to degenerate, stressing that it is necessary to convene a committee to review the national wage for workers.
He said, “In the face of rising inflation following the devaluation of the Naira which makes the current minimum wage not to pay the transport fare of workers to and from work, not to talk of buying them basic needs, congress requests that, it is time minimum wage is reviewed as quickly as possible.
“The government needs to constantly consult with broad segment of the Nigerian population at all times, especially groups like the Labour movement. Also, we are warning petroleum marketers not to contemplate any further increase in the pump price of the products, especially that of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“The current economic hardship required alternative economic agenda that should not be planned by the government alone,” Wabba added.
Declaring the programme open, the Akwa Ibom state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, noted the importance of the Labour movement in any growing economy and commended labour for establishing a school programme to provide training grounds for congress members.
