The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday night, told
the Federal Government to stop the fuel scarcity immediately, describing the
development as “a clear conspiracy on the part of government to force another
price hike on Nigerians.”
In a statement signed by the acting president of the NLC,
Joe Ajaero and the acting general secretary, Olusegun Rotimi, the congress said
fuel scarcity and hike in price would surely deepen the economic hardships the
current official price had unleashed on the people.
“The NLC observes that for almost two months now, there has
been a consistent scarcity of
petroleum products in all parts of the country
without any cogent explanation from government.
“In several fuel stations across the country, prices of
petrol in particular are higher than the official pump price without any
control by government.
“The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), under the
Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, is responsible for inspection and
control of fuel stations and has not acted in anyway against unilateral price
increases by marketers.
“For us, this indicates a clear conspiracy on the part of
government to force another price hike on Nigerians. This will surely deepen
the economic hardships the current official price has unleashed on our people,”
the statement read.
It added that the NLC would not accept any further price
increase, adding that it would mobilise workers and their allies against any
such increase.
“We urge the Federal Government to fulfill its
responsibility to the Nigerian people by taking urgent steps to restore normal
supplies,” the statement added.
The labour union said “the poverty level in Nigeria has
increased and nothing is being done by government to reverse our collective
sufferings.
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