NLC tells FG to prepare For War Against Fuel, Electricity Price Hike

02 Jan NLC tells FG to prepare For War Against Fuel, Electricity Price Hike

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Saturday warned the federal government against the removal of subsidy on fuel and electricity, saying it will resist every attempt to inflict more pains on the citizens.

The congress also warned state governors starving pensioners and workers with their entitlements and the new minimum wage to desist from forcing them into more poverty.

President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, in his New Year message said the labour movement was concerned about ‘’the deceit and duplicity associated with the politics of petrol price increase” by successive Nigerian governments.

He said, “Our argument has been that there is a limit to the imposition of hardship and suffering on the fragile shoulders of the Nigerian people.

“It is gratifying that amidst the deteriorating conditions of living, Organised Labour was able to rise up to ensure that the masses of our people were not completely run over by market forces enabled by the anti-people policies of government and at the whims of shylock capitalists.

“Still, the government is not relenting in its determination to push through further increases in the pump price of petrol and which as usual had been dubbed as “removal of petrol subsidy”.

“We have told government in very clear terms that Nigerians have suffered enough and will not endure more punishment by way of further petrol and electricity price increases.’’

“We would demand from politicians and the political class the dividends of the investment of our hopes for a stronger, inclusive and resilient economy; a Nigeria that is secured, stable, sustainable, peaceful and united; a Nigeria of equal opportunities where the child of the cobbler can still aspire to reach the top through a dint of integrity, resourcefulness, hard work, and faith; a country where public infrastructure works and inspires pride in citizens; a Nigeria where workers and pensioners reap the fruits of their reward on earth especially through prompt payment of decent wages cum pension benefits; and a land where the things that sustain a productive and full life are available, abundant and affordable.”