President Bola Tinubu has been encouraged by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to implement palliative measures before eliminating fuel subsidies.
The NLC would vehemently reject the elimination of gasoline subsidies without the implementation of palliative measures, according to Mr. Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, who made the demand in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
It should be recalled that Tinubu made the announcement about the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy during his inaugural speech on Monday, claiming that the subsidy could no longer be justified by the rising expenses resulting from the depletion of resources.
In order to significantly improve the lives of millions of people, Tinubu promised to reinvest the money in public infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment.
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As stated by Ajaero: “We at the Nigeria Labour are outraged by the pronouncement of President Bola Tinubu removing ‘fuel subsidy’ without due consultations with critical stakeholders.
“Or without putting in place palliative measures to cushion the harsh effects of the ‘subsidy removal.”
“On our part, we are demanding the immediate withdrawal of this policy. The implications of this decision are grave for our security and well-being.
“We wonder if President Tinubu gave a thought to why his predecessors in office refused to implement this highly injurious policy decision?”. We also wonder if he also forgot the words he penned down on January 8, 2012, but issued on January 11, 2012.
“In light of the foregoing, we advise Tinubu to respect his own postulations and economic theories instead of daring the people. It could be a costly gamble,” he cautioned.
The Dangote Refinery Is Unlikely To Reduce Fuel Prices
In another development, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the Dangote Refinery is admirable but it might not be the solution to the problems facing the petroleum industry on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday amid the petrol subsidy removal debate.
Ajaero continued, “First, let me praise Dangote Refinery, but it’s risky to allow for market dictat, particularly in the private sector. That is what is happening right now with cement manufacturing. What will the Dangote Refinery produce? Will it be sufficient?
“He has done enough to build a refinery. If three or four companies like that are refining then you are talking of competition.
“So, I think while we commend Dangote as a good Nigerian, we are talking about competition, we are talking of deregulation. So Dangote has done well, but can Dangote take care of 30% of the needs of Nigerians?” Ajaero asked.
He claimed that the President ought to have inquired about the effects of the reduction of fuel subsidies on Nigerians on the streets.
Ajaero stated that the position of Labour has been clear on the matter, and that even if Tinubu has good intentions, alternatives must be offered. His list of alternatives included repairing the nation’s four refineries and providing transportation for Nigerian workers.
“The pronouncement by Mr President is as good as law and if in the process we make a law that is not practicable, the same people that made the law can look at it,” Ajaero said while calling for a review of the President’s pronouncement.
“Does it bring pleasure to us to say subsidy is gone and people start suffering? Is it not part of leadership for us to look at how the suffering of the people can be reduced?” he asked.
