The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has slammed the Federal Government over the latest fuel price hike.
Goldennewsng reported on Tuesday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited (NNPCL) announced a new hike in the pump price of petrol.
This price hike, announced on Tuesday, comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy on May 29th.
The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mele Kyari, attributed the recent rise in petrol pump price from N540 to N617 per litre to market forces.
Reacting to the development, TUC’s National Vice President, Tommy Etim, said the country was headed towards economic chaos.
He said, “We are entering one chance. It is unfortunate that the government is insensitive to the plight of the commoners and the poorest of the poor. You can see that fuel which is essential to the movement of goods and services, including the informal businesses, have continued to fluctuate in price.
“For NNPC to wake up and increase the fuel price again, you need to ask what the increase is all about. Since they claimed that subsidy has been removed, why is the NNPC still regulating prices of fuel? The presidential committee that is considering palliatives is still meeting. As I speak to you, the sub-committees have not even met at all, I know this because I am a member of one.
“We have not concluded that, no template yet for implementation of proposals to be raised; but all that we are seeing is Tinubu going to the National Assembly, talking about distribution of N8,000 to 12 million households. What is the credibility of the social register? Nigeria is undergoing dimensional poverty and with the inflation rate, we are praying that we will not be like Zimbabwe. Look at the naira, this calls for urgent attention.”
The TUC vice boss maintained that workers’ wages had remained static, adding that “when Tinubu came in, we were optimistic and we felt that he started well, but he has started to deviate. He needs to remember the poorest of the poor who voted him into office.
“Look at the prices of food. Garri is now a luxury. People can’t afford garri again. Government has refused to think outside the box. At this point, we are seriously doubting if the proposal of the committee will be implemented.”