We’ll resist fuel price increase, says NLC
https://37bloggers.blogspot.com/2016/05/well-resist-fuel-price-increase-says-nlc.html
We’ll resist fuel price increase - says NLC
NLC Chairman
The Nigeria Labour Congress has said it
will resist the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, announced
by the government on Wednesday.
The statement, issued by NLC General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, in Abuja on Wednesday, described the increase as insensitive.
It said, “the unilateral increase in
prices of petroleum products today by government represents the height
of insensitivity and impunity and shall be resisted by the NLC and its
civil society allies.”
It said with, “the unjustifiable
electricity tariff and other economic challenges brought on by the
devaluation of the naira and inflation, the least one had expected was
another policy measure that would make life miserable for the ordinary
Nigerian.
“The latest increase is the most
audacious and cruel in the history of product price increase as it
represents not only about 80 per cent increase but it is tied to the
black market exchange rate.
“Furthermore, the process through which
government arrived at this is both illogical and illegal as the board of
the PPPRA is not duly constituted.”
The statement said NLC through its
previous statements and communiqués had stressed the need for the
reconstitution of the boards of NNPC and PPPRA .
The statement accused the Minister of
State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu of having overbearing influence
and acting as a sole administrator.
It said the allusion to the fact that
the increase was arrived at after due consultation with stakeholders was
ridiculous and fallacious.
“It goes to show that the brief meeting
held today during which government was advised to shelve the idea until,
at least, it meets with the appropriate organs of the Congress was in
bad faith.
“Accordingly, we urge the government to
revert the prices to what they were. We would want to put everybody on
notice that we shall resist this criminal increase with every means
legitimate.
“Already, an emergency NEC meeting has
been scheduled for Friday, May 13, to decide on the next line of
action,’’ the statement said..
It called on affiliates, state councils and civil society allies of the Congress to commence mobilisation immediately.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls
that the government on Wednesday announced an increase in petrol pump
price from N87 to N145 per litre in an effort to stabilise the price of
the product. (NAN)