You can’t watch Nigerians suffer – NLC tackles Tinubu govt as fuel price increases to N1430/litre

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government to address the recent surge in fuel prices, which now stand at N1,430 per litre in Nigeria. NLC President Joe Ajaero made this demand following the increase in crude oil prices to above $104 per barrel, which led to filling stations across the country, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), raising their pump prices to N1,395 and N1,450 per litre in Abuja and its environs.

Ajaero expressed concern over the impact of the fuel price increase on transportation costs, including fees, rents, tariffs, and food prices. He argued that the rising cost of living has exacerbated poverty among Nigerians, including workers. Despite the vast revenues generated by the Tinubu administration from crude oil sales and windfall earnings, the government has yet to provide any relief measures for the citizens.

Ajaero criticized the government for not intervening to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians in the wake of the deregulation of the oil and gas sector. He urged Tinubu to provide adequate palliatives to cushion the increasing cost of living for the people. Moreover, he advocated for the government to equip local refineries with sufficient crude oil to mitigate the effects of global energy shocks on the country.

The NLC president emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the government is making additional profits in the international spot market, translating to trillions of naira monthly. He argued that the government should be content with this windfall and not stand idly by as marketers inflict suffering on the populace in the name of deregulation.

Furthermore, Ajaero expressed concern over the local refineries' reliance on imported crude oil, which he deemed unreasonable and unacceptable. He contended that such practices contradict the purpose and logic of local capacity development. Ajaero concluded by asserting that a government seeking re-election must not watch its citizens suffer in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election.