The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers to commence a nationwide strike next Wednesday, 7th June, if the Federal Government fails to reverse the new pump price for Premium Motor Spirit (better known as fuel).
Announcing this as the outcome of an emergency meeting of the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) in Abuja on Friday, the National President of the Congress said failure of the government, particularly NNPC Limited to meet the ultimatum would attract an indefinite protest across the country.
In his inaugural speech on Monday at the Eagle Square in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that with the 2023 budget making no provision for fuel subsidy, further payment was no longer justifiable.
“The fuel subsidy is gone”, the President, adding that his administration would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy, he added.
The presidential pronouncement led to an instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country with Nigerians foraging for the premium product.
Although the decision received backing from the NNPC Limited and House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
Accoring to the organised labour, the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.
TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo also argued that there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the “sensitive issue” to the new government.
On Wednesday, a protracted meeting between the Federal Government and the NLC on the matter ended without a consensus.
Ajaero insisted that the Federal Government did not enter into any conversation even on palliative measures for Nigerians, hence the rejection of the latest announcement.
