Governors to meet NLC, TUC over fuel subsidy

21 Jan Governors to meet NLC, TUC over fuel subsidy

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has decided to meet with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over fuel subsidy.

The Chairman of the forum Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this at the end of a closed-door meeting of the governors on Wednesday night.

Addressing journalists Fayemi said the subsidy was part of the discussions at the meeting and that they agreed to meet with the labour unions as sub-national leaders in order to help salvage the situation.

“The Forum also discussed the issue around petroleum subsidy and concluded to engage the leadership of the NLC and TUC as sub-national leaders on how best to address the issue with a view to salvaging the Nigerian economy for the Nigerian people, ” he said.

There are plans by the federal government to fully deregulate fuel price by removing monthly subsidy as from the first quarter of this year.

Part of the recommendation of the National Economic Council (NEC) in November 2021 was for the government to increase the price of petrol, to N302 per litre in February 2022.

Petrol price is currently between N162 and N165 per litre.

The NGF described the issue as a growing concern but noted that the governors do not have a definitive stand on the matter, especially because of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

“NNPC is now a private company and should now decide what it wants to do with its products. It shouldn’t be the business of the governors,” Mr Fayemi said.

The governors also commended the Senate for accelerated passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and for “removing the contentious clause” in the bill.

They hoped that the House of Representatives will follow suit so that the revised version can be transmitted to the president for assent.