…Urges ‘immediate withdrawal of policy’
…Says decision ‘could be costly gamble’
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has tackled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for announcing fuel subsidy removal without consultations with critical stakeholders and without putting in place palliative measures to cushion the harsh effects.
President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who described Tinubu’s decision as insensitive, demanded the immediate withdrawal of the policy.
Ajaero reminded President Tinubu of his speech on January 11, 2012 when he led a protest against fuel subsidy removal, where he criticised then President Goodluck Jonathan-led government for “seeing value in saving money than in saving the hard-pressed masses.”
He said organised labour was outraged over Tinubu’s action, as it has pushed the country into another round of hardship.
He said: “We at the Nigeria Labour are outraged by the pronouncement of President Bola Tinubu, removing ‘fuel subsidy’ without due consultations with critical stakeholders or without putting in place palliative measures to cushion the harsh effects of the ‘subsidy removal.
“Within hours of his pronouncement, the nation went into a tailspin due to a combination of service shut downs and product price hike, in some places representing over 300 per cent price adjustment.
“By his insensitive decision, President Tinubu on his inauguration day brought tears and sorrow to millions of Nigerians instead of hope. He equally devalued the quality of their lives by over 300 per cent and counting.
“It is no heroism to commit against the people this level of cruelty at any time, let alone on an inauguration day. If he is expecting a medal for taking this decision, he would certainly be disappointed to receive curses for the people of Nigeria consider this decision not only a slight but a big betrayal.
“On our part, we are staunchly opposed to this decision and are demanding an immediate withdrawal of this policy.
“The implications of this decision are grave for our security and well-being.
“We wonder if President Tinubu gave a thought to why his predecessors in office refused to implement this highly injurious policy decision.
“We also wonder if he also forgot the words he penned down on January 8, 2012 but issued on January 11, 2012.
“In light of the foregoing, we advise Tinubu to respect his own postulations and economic theories instead of daring the people. It could be a costly gamble.”
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